Golf News: - Posted 30th March 1998

Faldo plans a Tiger hunt for Augusta

By Bill Blighton of The Mirror

Nick Faldo warned that he is ready to trap a Tiger in the US Masters next week.

The bookies have installed Tiger Woods as clear favourite to repeat his record-breaking march to glory, but Faldo believes he can stop the talented Californian.

Two years ago he missed the halfway cut in the Players Championship in Florida - and went on to a stunning victory, extending Greg Norman's Augusta agony by wiping out a six-shot deficit in the final round.

The 40-year-old British star has fared much better this time, even though he hasn't won for 13 months. He went into yesterday's last round of the £2.5million Players Tournament in Florida sharing 19th place, eight shots behind American Lee Janzen.

He would have been in closer contention but for two careless chip shots that cost him three strokes in two holes just as he moved to within two of the lead.

"That ruined it, but things are beginning to come together now," said Faldo, after six birdies in a third round of 70.

"But I've got to work on eliminating those stupid errors. My chief goal this year has always been the US Open, but I'll be ready for the Masters. Augusta is a place that always gets me focused."

Faldo is determined to become only the fifth golfer in history to win all four Grand Slam titles, joining legends Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

"I've got three Masters and three Opens and it has always been my aim to add the US Open and PGA championships to those six," he said. "But I want that seventh major and another green jacket would do just fine."

Woods, meanwhile, tumbled into a share of 49th place in Jacksonville.