Golf: Faltering Faldo falls off the pace

Nick Faldo saw his chances of a creditable finish slip away on the final day of the MCI Classic at Hilton Head, South Carolina, on Sunday when his final round included a disastrous nine at the par-four eighth hole.

The 41-year-old, who failed to make the cut at the Masters, started the day on four under par - six shots off the lead - but his five-over last round of 76 left him one over for the event. Faldo's opening rounds of 69, 73 and 67 indicated he might be rediscovering his form. He went to five under par with a birdie at the par four third before his slump began with a bogey at the seventh and the nine at the eighth.

Colin Montgomerie, the European No 1, also faltered on the final day, adding a 73 to his third-round 76 to finish on 287. The American Glen Day sealed the title with a 30-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole in a three-way play-off with Jeff Sluman and Payne Stewart.

Scores, Digest, page 25