For a man who has been so dedicated to achieving success, Nick Faldo and nostalgia make strange bedfellows – but as England’s greatest golfer turned 50 today, it is a fitting occasion to remember and, more importantly, to celebrate, a truly outstanding career.

With Six Majors – three Open Championships and three Masters Tournaments – in nine years from 1987-1996, 30 European Tour titles, nine other tournament victories, becoming the World Number One and holding that position for 81 weeks, from July 1992 to January 1994, as well as his status as the record European Ryder Cup points scorer, with 25 from 11 matches, to his name, Nicholas Alexander Faldo has done it all, to justifiably earn legendary status within the annals of golf history.

Quite simply, his accomplishments over two decades at the top are staggering and indelibly inked into the record books.

His humble beginnings merely add to his story.  A small boy watches on television Jack Nicklaus challenging for the 1971 Masters Tournament, and decides he’d like to take up the game, with his mother Joyce enrolling her son on a course of six lessons at their local course in Welwyn Garden City.

The rest, as they say, is history. From that life-defining moment, and not content to be just an ordinary golfer, talented Faldo set out on the path to greatness, relentlessly pursuing glory with zealous ambition, focus, determination and, at times, uncompromising obsession.

Few golfers would have the bravery to completely remodel their swing when it had already won 11 European Tour titles from 1977-1984, and endure a long, painstaking rebuild amid three winless years.

But Faldo did just that, instructing coach David Leadbetter to “throw the book at me,” and worked incessantly to build a swing that would stand up to the fiercest competitive pressures – the cauldron of Majors.

Armed with his new swing, that same bravery and single-minded nature to succeed were traits he took onto the golf course – and how he has given the sport and all those who love golf, so many magic moments to cherish because of it.

Who can forget the rivalries with luminaries like Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Greg Norman and Ian Woosnam, the battles with the Americans in The Ryder Cup, and all of the special shots and victories that have proved so thrilling and compelling over the years?

Feats like his 18 consecutive pars in the final round of The 1987 Open Championship at Muirfield to hold off Paul Azinger, claim his first Major and become the first Englishman since Tony Jacklin in 1969 to win the Claret Jug.

His back-to-back Masters Tournament wins, in 1989 and 1990 after defeating Scott Hoch and Ray Floyd respectively in play-offs for the prestigious Green Jacket, to emulate his hero Nicklaus in winning consecutive Masters.

His two more Open Championships – at St Andrews in 1990 when he set a new 72 hole record with his 18 under par total of 270, and at Muirfield in 1992 when he struck an arrow-like three iron to the 18th green to set up the par that ensured a one stroke win from another American, John Cook.

His fabulous wedge approach to four feet to set up the winning par putt that completed his 1995 Ryder Cup singles match turn around – he was one down with two to play against Curtis Strange at Oak Hill – to help Europe regain the trophy by just one point, and the shared tears with Ballesteros as they embraced afterwards, with the Spaniard telling him – “You are a great champion.”

And of course, that dramatic, unbelievable April Sunday in 1996 at Augusta National when, trailing by five shots, he reeled in the ‘Great White Shark’ Norman, shooting a 67 to Norman’s 78 to eventually win earn his third Green Jacket by six shots.

They are all career defining occasions it has been a privilege to witness and savour from a man whose work ethic, ball striking, precision course management, flair and mental strength were unrivalled at his peak.

When Nick Faldo had the chance to win, it wasn’t very often he failed to do so. The ‘Faldo-factor’ intimidated opponents in the same way Tiger Woods does now. It would be great to see the Faldo in his pomp take on Woods. What a battle royale that would be.

However, that is fantasy. What is reality is that Nick Faldo is 50 today.

It is apt he has reached his milestone birthday at Carnoustie during The Open Championship – the tournament where he achieved his goal of a Major breakthrough – and then make his Seniors debut at his beloved Muirfield, to challenge for The Senior Open Championship, in front of the knowledgable and appreciative Scottish galleries.

Another exciting chapter in Nick Faldo’s brilliant career looms – especially when he captains The European Ryder Cup Team in Valhalla next year, seeking a record fourth consecutive victory over the Americans.

With his legendary attention to detail and passion for the contest, Europe will not by let down by lack of preparation.

In the meantime, we wish you a very happy 50th birthday Nick. Thanks for the fantastic memories – and we look forward to many more.