Faldo summons spirit of Muirfield

NICK FALDO hopes to find inspiration but admits he has “no idea” how he will fare on his Senior British Open debut this week at Muirfield in Scotland.

The former world number one returns to the scene of two of his three Open Championship victories, knowing he has had the measure of the links in the past.

But it is on reputation rather than any recent results that Faldo is expected to be a contender at the East Lothian course.

He is by no means the favourite, with American Loren Roberts defending his title. He is afforded that status ahead of Jay Haas, Tom Watson and Eduardo Romero.

Faldo said he is planning to “tag along” and see where his game takes him, while enjoying the experience of his first seniors tournament.

“It’s great to catch up with old buddies from 10, 20, 30 years ago and I’m really looking forward to the week,” said Faldo, who turned 50 last Wednesday and, in his first tournament of the year, missed the cut in the British Open with rounds of 79 and 73.

He said: “This is very special — 20 years on from my first Open win, my son Matthew on the bag.

“But I’m not confident. I’ve just got to go and play.

“Obviously, I will do my damnedest to keep the score as low as possible and we will see where that plays, but I’ve no idea what level these guys can play on a links like this.

“I’ll just tag along for a while. Rather like a marathon — hopefully I can stick with the pack and then maybe put a spurt on.”

Faldo’s 1987 triumph on the course is remembered mostly for his 18 consecutive pars in the final round as he battled with Paul Azinger, the American he will face as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain in Louisville next year.

Three years later he won at St Andrews and then back at Muirfield in 1992 a superb three-iron to the last gave him a par four and a one-shot victory over another American, John Cook.

“I think that Muirfield will inspire me. It will find a way,” he said.

“I think the memories will start to come back as soon as I stand on the first tee, but there will probably be more when I come up the 18th fairway. Then I will really think back to all those years ago.

“I will try to have the right mixture of memories and emotions to make sure I play well and do myself justice,” said Faldo.