Sir Nick Faldo, British Masters champion in 1989, joined in the Pro-Am at The Belfry on Wednesday.
Sir Nick Faldo opines that tournaments like this week’s British Masters can exploit the contentious merger between established golf tours and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. The Englishman, a winner of six major tournaments, asserts that golf should embrace a perspective akin to Formula 1 to fully leverage this agreement.
Faldo further predicts the gradual irrelevance of the splinter group LIV Tour, led by his longstanding competitor, Greg Norman.
For the next five years, Faldo is to host the Belfry tournament, which begins on Thursday and features only eight of the top 100 world-ranked players.
The tournament’s star player, world number 31 Justin Rose, will be participating in the DP World Tour event. Yet, Faldo foresees a prosperous future for the tournament, previously hosted by the Ryder Cup four times.
“The plan is long-term,” revealed the winner of three Opens and three Masters to the Sport Newes Center. “We’re in the evaluation phase this year. The course, inaugurated in 1977, may need some updating as the game has significantly evolved since then.”
Although the strength of the field doesn’t match past line-ups, featuring past winners such as Norman, Seve Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Lee Westwood, and Rose, Faldo remains optimistic.
“We all want the strongest lineup possible, and we need to consider ways to enhance the event in the future,” Faldo commented.
He also highlighted the global partnerships which aim to strengthen professional golf. “The goal now, with the partnership, is to bolster the world of professional golf. If it’s backed by global golf authorities, it doesn’t feel like playing on a different tour, but rather participating in a world-supported tournament.”
Faldo argues that golf needs to emulate the promotional strategies of other sports for its modern era to thrive. “Making golf a truly global sport with excellent coverage is the ultimate goal,” he said.
He pointed out the massive reach of Formula 1, stating, “They’ve done a great job of making their drivers into personalities and making their teams recognizable. I’ve often said golf could learn from how F1 operates.”
Faldo drew attention to the difference in attitudes between F1 drivers, who are interviewed before dangerous races, and golfers who prefer not to be disturbed before playing. He suggested that golfers could adopt a more approachable mindset.
The Netflix series Full Swing has showcased men’s professional golf, but it was their cycling series that intrigued Faldo more. The 65-year-old shared his admiration for the dramatic portrayal of the Tour de France.
Faldo confessed his uncertainty about how the recent merger of the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and PIF will unfold, given its surprise announcement on June 6. “Nobody knows,” he admitted, “but I think this partnership was necessary given the potential legal costs.”
In contrast to the high-stakes merger, Faldo dismissed the LIV Tour’s 48-man, shotgun start 54-hole series at Valderrama on the Costa Del Sol. He also expressed indifference towards players who left for the new circuit, predicting its diminishing significance over the next year or so.
However, he couldn’t ignore the dramatic increase in prize money in the men’s game that LIV and their $25m tournaments have spurred. “The money is astronomical compared to our time,” Faldo remarked.
The stark difference between earnings now and in his era was humorously exemplified by Faldo. “It’s a bit different these days when you can earn upwards of half a million for a good finish, compared to the £1500 we got for finishing third in Madrid back in the day,” he chuckled.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Golf and Formula 1 comparison
What does Sir Nick Faldo suggest for the future of golf?
Sir Nick Faldo suggests that golf should adopt a similar outlook to Formula 1 to fully capitalise on the recent merger with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. He believes that golfers should be more approachable and visible, like F1 drivers, to promote the sport better globally.
What is Faldo’s opinion on the LIV Tour led by Greg Norman?
Faldo predicts the LIV Tour, led by Greg Norman, will lose relevance over time. He is indifferent towards players who have departed to join the new circuit and predicts its diminishing significance over the next year or so.
What are Faldo’s views on the merger of the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and PIF?
Faldo confesses his uncertainty about how the recent merger of the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and PIF will unfold, given its surprise announcement. He believes the partnership was necessary considering the potential colossal legal costs that could have arisen.
How does Faldo perceive the evolution of earning in golf tournaments?
Faldo comments on the significant increase in prize money in men’s golf, spurred by the LIV and their $25m tournaments. He humorously contrasts today’s substantial earnings with his era’s relatively meagre prizes.
What is Faldo’s role in the Belfry tournament?
Sir Nick Faldo will be hosting the Belfry tournament for the next five years. He is optimistic about the future of the tournament and is currently in the evaluation phase of planning.
More about Golf and Formula 1 comparison
- Sir Nick Faldo
- Formula 1
- Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF)
- The Belfry Tournament
- PGA Tour
- DP World Tour
- LIV Tour
- Netflix series: Full Swing
- Tour de France on Netflix
14 comments
I’m a bit skeptical about this merger. Hope it works out tho.
always loved Sir Nick Faldo and his no-nonsense take. But merging with Saudi PIF…not sure if that’s the best way forward…
I miss the good old days when golf was just about the sport and not the $$$. Faldo’s right about the money being crazy now!
As a fan of both golf and F1, i think this could be a game changer! Can’t wait to see what happens.
interesting thoughts. never really considered the F1 approach before. let’s see how it pans out.
Faldo’s thoughts on the LIV Tour were savage! i wonder what Greg Norman would say to that haha.
Wow, Faldo’s got some gr8 points there. golf could def learn from F1. more visibility for players = more fans right??
As a fan of both golf and F1, i think this could be a game changer! Can’t wait to see what happens.
Faldo’s thoughts on the LIV Tour were savage! i wonder what Greg Norman would say to that haha.
interesting thoughts. never really considered the F1 approach before. let’s see how it pans out.
Wow, Faldo’s got some gr8 points there. golf could def learn from F1. more visibility for players = more fans right??
I’m a bit skeptical about this merger. Hope it works out tho.
always loved Sir Nick Faldo and his no-nonsense take. But merging with Saudi PIF…not sure if that’s the best way forward…
I miss the good old days when golf was just about the sport and not the $$$. Faldo’s right about the money being crazy now!