Nick Faldo is reliving the two shots that defined his stunning 1996 Masters victory. In a recent social media post, the three-time champion broke down the key moments that sealed Greg Norman's famous collapse at Augusta.

"There's the six iron I hit on the six hole, which was very important to me, very important moment in my confidence for the day,” Nick Faldo shared on his X account on Thursday, reflecting on two pivotal moments from that unforgettable Sunday.

The final round of the The Masters Tournament on April 14, 1996, ended with Nick Faldo winning his third Green Jacket after starting the day six shots behind Greg Norman.

"Nearly as impressive, but there is the two iron. I bet you got a fish knife with more loft on it, so that's the one that belted the two iron onto the 13th, and if you can stand up and think that looks good and that feels good, you're laughing," the 68-year-old added.

At the start of Sunday, Norman led at 13-under, while Faldo stood at 7-under. By the end of the round, the gap had reversed. Faldo shot 67 to finish at 12-under, while Norman carded 78 to close at 7-under.

As the round began, Faldo reduced the deficit on the front nine and moved within two shots by the turn. The shift continued at the 12th hole. Faldo made par, while Norman hit his tee shot into Rae’s Creek and made double bogey, which put Faldo in the lead.

From there, the difference became clearer. On the 15th, Norman had a chip for eagle that could have tied the lead, but it did not drop. On the 16th, his tee shot found the water, leading to another double bogey and extending the gap.

By the 18th hole, the outcome was decided. Faldo made a birdie to finish the round and secure the win by five shots.

Nick Faldo on modern golf and the rivalry with Greg Norman

"This was hand tested, but you've got the advantage of AI to get you a club which just feels like an extension of your arm," said the 9-time PGA Tour winner, explaining the role of modern technology. 

"I remember that feeling thanks to hitting millions of golf balls, but you can fast-track that now with the science," Nick Faldo added.

Long before AI was a thing, he won the event three times in 1989, 1990, and 1996, becoming the only European to win three Green Jackets and the first English player to do so.

However, Faldo and Greg Norman's rivalry never really died down. Despite thier famous hug at the 1996 hug, they remained at odds.

Even after retirement, the pair haven't agreed on many things. In 2023, Nick Faldo ripped into LIV Golf, calling the Greg Norman-backed rival league "maningless."

So it's no wonder Faldo still remembers the fateful Sunday from 1996 so vividly.

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi