& # 039; I don't put my jacket on Floyd & # 039; – 30 years later, champion Faldo remembers the motivation of Masters

As the defending champion, Nick Faldo received his green coat in 1990 by Augusta National President Hord Hardin

. An overwhelming thought inspired Sir Nick Faldo & # 39; s epic wave to win the 1990 Masters win over Raymond Floyd; he just couldn't stand draping the coveted Green Jacket on the broad shoulders of the experienced American.

Traditionally, last year's winner hands over the most sought-after piece of golf in the Butler Cabin ceremony that closes every Masters.

In the immediate aftermath of a defeat, Faldo would have expected a smile of congratulation. It was a thought he could not bear and a scenario he warded off excitingly and courageously.

This week, the English champion in Augusta should have celebrated the 30th anniversary of that win, one making him only the second golfer. to successfully defend a Masters title.

Instead of settling among the azaleas and dogwood that decorate Georgia's greenest corner, Faldo, like the rest of us, is locked up. But at least he can cherish some of his best golf memories from afar.

If and when the 2020 Masters are played after the coronavirus outbreak is contained, it will somehow have to fit in with the drama and excitement of Faldo & # 39; s third major win career.

Thirty years ago, the Englishman was at the height of his powers. Following his Augusta triumph, he nearly won the US Open before rushing home that summer at The Open in St. Andrews.

Faldo claimed the second of his three Open titles, at St Andrews in 1990, and won by five strokes

That year, Faldo established himself as a true sports superstar, a lasting figure who has helped thousands embrace golf. He has also become the regular voice of the Masters on American television.

The Welwyn Garden City man in Hertfordshire had won The Open three years earlier and then claimed his first Masters in 1989. That victory came on the second extra hole of a play-off against Scott Hoch.

In America Faldo still had to really surpass, his victory was more remembered for Hoch & # 39; s choke. The American missed the shortest putts on the 10th green, the first hole of sudden death.

Faldo sank when on the 11th a glorious birdie putt and outstretched arms looked up to the heavens to the dark for celebration.

Twelve months later, he arrived for his title defense with only Australian Greg Norman ahead of him on the world rankings. Faldo opened with rounds of 71 and 72 and was put in the peloton halfway.

Then a blistering Saturday 66 that took him to third place came just three strokes behind Floyd who had added two 68's to an opening 70.

Floyd it was story. A year earlier, he had been America's Ryder captain for the 14-14 draw in the Belfry, his days as a big contender were considered long ago.

Now, at the age of 47, Floyd tried to revise Jack Nicklaus. record set in 1986 as the oldest Masters champion. The galleries pulled for him, but were torn because a 50-year-old Nicklaus was also in the frame.

At 10 below par, Floyd was two clear against John Huston, the rookie who accompanied him for the final round and whose currency may have undermined his older partner's overturn in history.

Slightly fitting, Faldo, seven under par, was paired with record six-time winner Nicklaus, who was five under. "Playing with Jack was really cool and we were totally absorbed in it," Faldo told BBC Sport.

It was seen by Nicklaus competing in the 1971 Masters on his parents' new color television that a 14-year-old Faldo was inspired to take on the game.

"I thought, let's play golf," Faldo later revealed. & # 39; Six years later, I played against Jack in the 1977 Ryder Cup. & # 39;

And it is worth noting that Faldo worked together in that four-ball game Peter Oosterhuis to a 3 & 1 victory. Nicklaus' partner was Ray Floyd.

Recovering from a bad start

On Sunday April 8, 1990, Faldo made a horrifying start to the last round of his title defense. "It all started badly, I doubled the first one," he told me.

"I drove it in the bunker, knocked it out, chopped it up and pulled three out. I remember saying to myself & # 39; you only made four on the [par-five] second 'and I did and things like that corrected. "

These were holes that were not seen by the television audience because this was a time before the Augusta National allowed live coverage. from the early part of the round.

Ray Floyd won four majors – the Masters of 1976, the US PGA Championship in 1969 and 1972 and the US Open in 1986. but missed the career Grand Slam – his best Open Championship finish came second in 1978

Floyd made a solid start rolling down four straight pars, including a brilliant up and down from the back of the third. He was a wizard with his wedges, but they couldn't help him drop a shot on the fifth after driving into the trees.

However, he seemed in good mental shape and gave CBS & # 39; s youthful-looking Jim Nantz a Butler Cabin interview before the exit. "It's a much more comfortable feeling this time, Jim," he said.

"I am at peace with myself, I have a lot of fun and that was my goal." I don't really expect to be in the lead on Sunday, but I'm really happy to be here, trust me.

"Of course it would be a dream to be the oldest winner of the US Open (43 years old in 1986) and then come back and become the oldest winner of the Masters, but I'm not going to pressure myself "

On the way to the closing section of the front nine Floyd, who won eight with a record score of 17 inferior in 1976, remained in control.

Then the biggest cheer so far came from that dramatic afternoon. It greeted Nicklaus with a perfect bunker shot from the front of the seventh.

Faldo had already taken a brilliant approach and tapped in for his own birdie to get within two of Floyd & # 39; s lead. The rankings showed the situation: Floyd -9, Faldo -7, Nic klaus -5, Huston -4.

Floyd had scrapped the par-five holes all week and delivered another birdie after finding the green on the long eighth in two powerful strokes to go clear three times.

Faldo reacted with a sensational approach to ninth, keeping the ball under the hole despite the usual treacherous front pin position. Nervous enough, the British star looked for another crucial bird.

Memories faded from that potentially disastrous double bogey, but Floyd found a way to keep his advantage. Nervously up and down, he dropped his putter in relief when his inconclusive par putt disappeared on the ninth, the American veteran held 10 under par.

Two-time Champion Ben Crenshaw just had his round on this stage and predicted forward-nine-back fireworks.

"A man who plays really well and has a good measure of how far he hits the ball and a good conception of the shots could be quite a run-up," he said with his well-known folk Texan drawl.

The cargo is faltering …

Faldo's start to that inner half was not very promising. Using a persimmon-led driver, he blocked his tee shot, it was short and found a difficult hanging lie. His second shot landed in a greenside bunker and he was only able to make bogey.

Three behind.

Faldo set up the 11th green with the large scoreboard and reminded him of the task he faced on the back nine

. Moments later, Floyd successfully escaped the same danger of par and keeping his healthy edge. Faldo was only able to hit the 11th par where Floyd then tee-shot to the left, leaving a treacherous approach across the pond guarding the left side of the green.

After much deliberation with his caddy, a certain Steve Williams – who later won 13 major victories alongside Tiger Woods – Floyd took a bold approach. But his promising birdie attempt was successful.

By then Faldo was investigating a hidden lie in the bunker at the back left of the short 12th: "I don't believe it, I don't believe it," he groaned. The best he could do was leave his ball just in front of the front of the green with an agile splash shot.

Then he saw Nicklaus a birdie hole from the back of the green. "And they said I couldn't put any more," muttered the 18-time champion as he plucked his ball out of the hole.

Now Faldo was under pressure when he protruded from the leading edge, a bogey could ruin it. The line was good, had he given it enough?

"Oh well done," he remarked sarcastically, adding with added volume, "Go!" The ball listened, seemingly exhausted from his last revolution.

Faldo and Nicklaus shivered together on their way back to the 13th tee, but both were supported by the success of their long putts.

In the back, but at the front of the scoreboard, Floyd was ready to strike. He shot from the back of the green to go 11.

Four strokes free with six to play.

Bird Chances Are Coming

Anything less than birdie at the par-five thirteenth would not have done it for the British defending champion. The hole was only 465 yards in size at the time, and two beautiful shots formed a two putt birdie to bring Faldo in three.

Floyd was not in his tee position and could only par. Faldo climbed the 14th with a growing feeling inside: & # 39; I kept saying to myself: & # 39; I don't, I don't put the jacket on & # 39;, & # 39; he said.

The next birdie came on the par-five 15th where Faldo & # 39; s second shot flew over the water guarding the front of the shallow green and running through the back.

He swung all day at a strikingly elegant and controlled pace, but the 32-year-old was defeated all round by Nicklaus, 18 years his senior.

Unlike his great playing partner that day, Faldo & # 39; s short game was flawless. A brave chip up to four feet led to a vital birdie attempt.

"He has to make a bird here," Tom Weiskopf, winner of the 1973 Open, told American television viewers. "This is the tournament for Nick Faldo."

The defending champion stroked it home and marched to the par-three 16th tee where he shot a tee 20 feet short of the hole. Nicklaus threw his tee in the water, his race was run, but Faldo's step accelerated.

He bent over his ball which lay in an oasis of sunshine on an otherwise shady green. A big man, his short putter looked like just a toothpick as he thrust the ball forward.

It never looked like it could be missed and it disappeared properly, Faldo dropped to his knees. He got a feeling, a big feeling that he was wearing the green coat.

"I had dreamed I would make two at 4pm," Faldo explained. & # 39; And that seemed very important. If you want to win, you have to make two at 16.

& # 39; When I hit that well and hung a hole in it, you can see my reaction. It doesn't pop up, I put my head on the putter like I want to put it right, I really believe because that's what I dreamed and what I wanted. "

While Faldo & # 39; s response was muffled, US commentators exploded. & # 39; Yes! We have a match!" Ben Wright yelled into his television tower overlooking the action. The deficit was reduced to one.

Floyd had only parried the 15th after nearly getting his birdie chip on the hole. His ball Huston's ball marker is neatly brushed when it looked like it was destined to fall and fell an inch from the hole.

Floyd & # 39; s ball came to rest an inch from the hole after he chewed the ball mark from his playing partner on the 14th green

. The debate is still raging over whether the rookie's marker had prevented the ball from falling and that cost Floyd the Masters.

Anyway, the leader still needed the most imaginative touch to save par on the short 16th. With a high upright stance, he borrowed 25 feet to the right of the hole for a delayed first pit from the top right plank of the green.

This was vintage Masters stuff.

Faldo parried the 17th, but Floyd hit that green from 75 feet.

When the defending champion arrived at home, the crowd gasped as the scoreboards were changed to lock him up with the old leader at 10 under par.

Faldo & # 39; s two putt from the back of the green was pure class. The first putt bumped in the margin, the three footer to keep some of the lead was relentlessly safe.

Nicklaus patted him on the back as he left the green to sign for a 69 and an inward half of 34, compiled under the most intense pressure imaginable. "A very clumsy putt on the latter, which was pretty damn cool," Faldo recalled.

Now the pressure on Floyd had shifted. He went with his metal-clad driver, a recent Japanese import, to force a winning bird, but his drive flew into the first of the bunkers on the left.

From a promising lie, he found more of Augusta's pristine white sands to the right of the green before making a brilliant up and down to force sudden death.

Faldo rides his luck … again

This was familiar territory for Faldo who, somewhat fortunately, had gone through the play-off against Hoch 12 months earlier.

"My motivation was simple," he repeated.

"I don't put my jacket on Ray Floyd, I don't. I think that was a good thing. I kept saying to myself: & # 39; I don't do that, I put him the jacket not to & # 39 ;. "

They went to 10th. Again Faldo hit a bad tee, again he found the bunker on the greenside.

Faldo (left) faced a hard bunker shot and could see Floyd & # 39; s ball on the green, 16 feet from the hole

"I messed up the year before, but this time I knew what I did and hit a really great bunker to about four, five feet, "he said.

Floyd had his cautious 16-foot birdie attempt cut off after a brilliant ride and approach, meaning Faldo had to make a four-legged friend to take it to 11th.

"When I was standing in front of the putt, I thought" My God, after what happened to Scott last year, the gods might get it on me again, "said the champion afterwards in the Butler Cabin.

Thirty years later, Faldo says, "I feel like it showed that I was okay: & # 39; I'm a buddy here, I'll stick around."

It was an important sentiment to go to the dangerous par-fourth 11th, both players parced it in their four rounds of regular play, it is also clear that Faldo was afraid to lose.

"That was the piece that was so weird," Faldo told me. "I got a print from an artist of that 11th hole and he drew it for me.

"And I thought, 'is that going to sit on the wall and I'm going to say jeez, I won the Masters there and I lost the Masters there?' That was a weird thought . "

Faldo hit the longer run, but both players were in great shape on the fairway. Floyd didn't feel like flirting with the six-foot iron with the water.

"He hurried whether he was trying to be super aggressive or whatever, I don't know, but he got it in the water," said Faldo.

"Now I did the math. He was in the pond and dropped it – what can he make? I figured he could still make a five, so I had to make a four to win.

"I then checked a broken iron eight down the hill and kept it under the hole."

It was a brilliant shot that showed Faldo's winning qualities at their best.

"Then I hit a really great lag-putt and that was it, quite amazing," he added.

Indeed, Floyd had picked up before Faldo had pricked for 1965's Nicklaus' achievement. and to match 66 of consecutive Masters titles.

"This is the most devastating thing that ever happened to me in my career," said Floyd. & # 39; I have suffered a lot of losses, but no such thing. & # 39;

Floyd, who at one point led Faldo with five shots in the last round, was quick to congratulate him

Meanwhile, Faldo returned to the Butler Cabin where Scottish Sandy Lyle – the first British player to win the Masters in 1988 – first given him the green coat 12 months earlier. "I really feel like I made history this time," Faldo said tearfully.

Faldo Inspiring Generations

Now a three-time winner, the then 32-year-old had made a huge leap in history books, which he further confirmed with his amazing five-shot Open Victory at the Home or Golf later that year.

He would win a third Open at Muirfield in 1992 and then revise Norman to win the 1996 Masters, the sixth and last major of his career.

1996 champion Faldo presented Tiger Woods with the first of his five Green Jackets in 1997. Woods would become the third player to win consecutive Masters titles with his wins in 2001 and 2002

. After these successes, he launched the Faldo Series to inspire junior golfers, such as four-time winner Rory McIlroy. "The best thing is that people proudly tell me that I was a Faldo Series player," he said.

Faldo spoke from Arizona, where he hosted the Major Champions Invitational team event with boys and girls between 14 and 18 years old.

It involved several other big winners, including Jordan Spieth, the 2015 Masters winner, who wasn't even born when Faldo successfully defended his title.

Now 62 years Faldo instinctively fights against time. & # 39; It's just a number, but saying it was half a life ago hurts & # 39; he said.

& # 39; It's really special when I think what we did. Fanny Sunesson was a rookie caddy to me, we were brand new.

"We ran to Florida to train and prepare and then amazingly Augusta happened. Crash, scared wallop, I defend and then we shed a tear that summer.

" Closing at the US Open and then I win at St Andrews and that was an incredibly special time.

"To win two majors in a year, not too many people have. Yes, it's a shock it was 30 years ago. I'll dig out a really nice 1990 wine to celebrate . "

It's a pity he won't do that this week in Augusta, but still great memories to cherish.