Faldo drives down memory lane to see reflection of Woods

Former world No 1 returns to course where he won two Open titles convinced that American hero is 'man to beat'

The new Nick Faldo, the one who puts enjoying himself over winning, has been in nostalgia mood in the practice rounds before Thursday's Open Championship. "This is still one of my favourite spots," he said of the Muirfield links where he claimed two of his three Open titles. "I am enjoying the memories."

Faldo did not bother watching the videos from his victories on the East Lothian coast. "It's all up there," he said, tapping his forehead. "It's nice to go round and remind yourself of some of the great shots you've played. There was the five-iron at the last in 1987. That was the first time, trying to hit the last green at an Open. It was a weird sensation. Then I had the putt.

"You spend all your days as a kid with those putts thinking it's to win the British Open and then you've got to do it. In 1992 it was a three-iron to the last. Gary Player said that's the best shot he had seen so that was kind of nice. Craig Parry was at breakfast this morning. I played with him for the first two days that year and he talked about the three-wood I hit at number nine, when I intentionally hit it down the right to bump it off the hill. Those were the days."

They were the days of the old Faldo, the one who, in attitude and application, was not unlike Tiger Woods is now. "I was the world No 1 when I came here last time. I came in as the favourite. I was here with the intention of winning. I'm sure that's similar to what Tiger is thinking right now.

"He's the man to beat. He's just got to be comfortable with the way he prepares, make sure he has enough time for himself to do his thing and be happy with what he's doing on the golf course. The rest of the guys have had a nasty shock with Tiger coming in with his commitment and his discipline. He's worked on everything in his game. He's strong in all departments. If his swing is off, he can literally muscle his way round the course. He's very strong mentally and hasn't dented himself yet. If things are going to change, Tiger has to dent his own confidence or someone has got to dent it for him."

Faldo's two victories at Muirfield were very different. At the first attempt in 1987, famously, he went round in 18 pars. Could someone win a major that way today? "No, they're not that bad. They are all better than that. You have to make six birdies now to win a major. It was kind of unique. It wasn't planned. People said that was Faldo, dead boring, look at him. It wasn't planned. I was choking on every putt. I couldn't get the thing in the hole."

Five years later Faldo had lost a commanding lead by the time he reached the 15th tee. "I was two back after leading nearly all week. I just had to rebuild myself mentally. I said just forget everything, forget the whole week, good or bad, and start again. Those last four holes was as good as I've played."

Life moves on. "I was happy then because my goal was to be the world No 1 and win majors, that was my life. Now, 10 years on, you're a totally different person. You've got children and other interests, so things change. Now I feel I can be myself, I feel I can open up and show what sort of person I am." Yesterday's announcements are typical of that new life. His company, Faldo Golf, has won a contract to build only the second 18-hole course in Moscow, a few miles from the Kremlin, complete with a teaching academy. The six-time major champion will also front a campaign by the Golf Foundation to promote Tri-Golf in schools, in addition to continuing his own Junior Series scheme.

Faldo will be 45 on Thursday but his hopes of enjoying himself on the course, perhaps continuing where he left off with his fifth place at the US Open, were not helped by a bout of gastroenteritis two weeks ago. "I was very excited after the US Open but things have not gone as planned. I missed a tournament and then missed the cut last week. I was still drained by the bug. It knocked me back a notch or two. I have just got to play as well as I can first. We'll worry about that before we get any dizzy ideas."

A third victory here, a fourth Open and a seventh major, might bring a rapid, dizzying close to his career. What would be the point of going on any further? "It would be very tempting, wouldn't it," he admitted. "It would be very tempting. Who knows? It might be the first choice."

NICK FALDO FACTFILE

Born: Welwyn Garden City, 18 July 1957.

Turned Professional: 1976.

Height: 6ft 3in.

Weight: 15st 4lb.

Career History: Majors wins: 6. The Open Championship: 1987 (Muirfield); 1990 (St Andrew's); 1992 (Muirfield). US Masters: 1989, 1990, 1996 (Augusta).

European Tour wins: 26. 1977 Skol Lager Individual. 1978 Colgate PGA Championship. 1980 Sun Alliance PGA Championship. 1981 Sun Alliance PGA Championship. 1982 Haig Whisky TPC.1983 Car Care Plan International; Ebel European Masters Swiss Open; Lawrence Batley International; Martini International; Paco Rabanne Open de France. 1984 Car Care Plan International. 1987 Peugeot Spanish Open. 1988 Volvo Masters; Peugeot Open de France. 1989 Dunhill British Masters; Peugeot Open de France; Suntory World Match Play; Volvo PGA Championship. 1991 Carroll's Irish Open; 1992 Scandinavian Masters; GA European Open; Carroll's Irish Open; Toyota World Match Play. 1993 Carroll's Irish Open; Johnnie Walker Classic; 1994 Alfred Dunhill Open.

US Tour Wins: 3. 1984 Sea Pines Heritage. 1985 Doral-Ryder Open. 1997 Nissan Open.