Sir Nick set to lead top class field at Sunningdale

Anthony Smith • Published 13 Jun 2009 17:11 0 Comments

NEWLY-KNIGHTED Sir Nick Faldo heads a roll call of golfing superstars set to compete at the forthcoming Senior Open Championship at Sunningdale next month.

Sir Nick received a knighthood in the Queen"s Birthday Honours on Saturday and has confirmed his place amongst a world class field set to battle it out for one of golf"s biggest prizes.

It will be the first time the prestigious event will be staged at Sunningdale"s glorious Old Course after organisers took the decision to move away from a traditional links venue.

And that should suit Faldo down to the ground as the six-time Major winner still holds the course record with a remarkable 62 shot 23 years ago.

He also won the European Open there in 1992 and is familiar with the picturesque course which is likely to attract bumper crowds over the four-day tournament.

Sir Nick, whose golf enterprise business is based in Windsor, stated: 'I"m very much looking forward to playing in the Senior Open Championship at Sunningdale.

'It"s great to have the opportunity to play alongside so many familiar faces from my own era at a venue that, for many of us, holds some wonderful memories.

'In fact, I think I"m right in saying I hold the Old Course record. Whilst I haven"t shot 62 in a wee while, I"ll be hoping to go at least one better this year.'

But he also joked: 'I assume I"m off the forward tees.'

The decision to hold the Mastercard-sponsored event in Berkshire is a major coup for Sunningdale and it has attracted the strongest field in the tournament"s history.

The likes of Bernhard Langer, Greg Norman, Tom Watson and Ian Woosnam will line up alongside Ryder Cup captains Sam Torrance, Mark James and Tom Lehman.

And the presence of Faldo is sure to bring out even bigger crowds following his knighthood for services to golf.

He remains one of the biggest names in the sport after a glorious career that delivered 30 European Tour titles, six Majors and saw him become the all-time leading points scorer in Ryder Cup history.

In 1996 he launched the Faldo Series to encourage youngsters to play the game, an initiative that has spawned Irish sensation Rory McIlroy, Nick Dougherty and Oliver Fisher.

And after joining Sir Henry Cotton as the only other British golfer to receive a knighthood, he said: 'I was delighted to hear the news that I will be receiving a knighthood and I am more than a little humbled to have been afforded this great honour.

'It has come as a real surprise and the reaction from my children, family and friends has made this a very special moment for me.'

The Senior Open Championship will be held at Sunningdale from July 23-26.

To book tickets call 0800 023 2557 or visit www.europeantourtickets.com.

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