Faldo 'in pounds 7.5m divorce deal'

The golfer Nick Faldo and his wife Gill yesterday announced their intention to separate after nearly 10 years of marriage. Unconfirmed reports suggested that Faldo has offered his wife a pounds 7.5m settlement.

A statement from solicitors Gordon Dadds and Mishcon de Reya said: "It is with regret that Gill and Nick Faldo today, the 23rd of October 1995, announce that they have separated after nearly 10 years of marriage. Gill and Nick request privacy for themselves, their family and friends."

There has been speculation about Faldo's personal life in recent weeks after it was reported that he had consulted his lawyers about a divorce settlement on the eve of flying out to play in the Ryder Cup in the US.

As news of the announcement spread it was reported that the Faldo had offered his wife a pounds 4m one-off payment and possession of the couple's pounds 3m mansion near Wentworth golf club. She would also receive a pension of pounds 500,000 for her work as director of Nick Faldo International and custody of the couple's children Natalie, nine, Matthew, six, and Georgia, two. According to reports, Faldo, three times winner of the Open championship and twice US Masters champion, wants to start a new life in the US with Brenna Cepelak, 20.

Faldo has played his golf in America for the past season on the US PGA tour and is said to have agreed a settlement with Gill which will give him the couple's Florida home and the freedom to move to the US.

Gill would resign as his business partner and give up any control she has in their firms. Faldo would keep all future income from golf winnings, his four companies, their pounds 375,000 Swiss chalet and a golf course he owns. Faldo was unavailable last night for comment.