As Tiger Woods grabbed a record score at St Andrews, Nick Faldo could console himself with one Open record the American genius cannot take until 2007 at least.
A final-round 71 on the course where he won by five in 1990 left Faldo down the field on one under par, but increased his number of sub-par rounds in his Open career to 36.
Woods went into the day with 10 to his name since he made his debut as an amateur at St Andrews in 1995.
"I was level with Jack (Nicklaus) on 33 at the start of the week, so I've gone three ahead now," said a chirpy Faldo.
"I'm hoping to have some more yet, so it might take Tiger another 10 years to catch me."
As for the record 18-under-par aggregate he set over the Old Course 10 years ago, Faldo had resigned himself to Woods breaking that.
"All credit to the guy. He's taken all the knowledge we've gathered over 25 years and applied it.
Faldo at least extended his record of sub par rounds at the Open, though never in contention this year. Allsport.
"It's a daunting challenge for those coming along because he has not only a fifth gear, but a sixth gear too.
"I had the feeling in 1990. You get in a position where you know you are going to keep playing well. That puts pressure on everybody else and gives you a wonderful inner confidence.
"Everybody is going to have to review their own way of doing things. He is in total control of himself and everything around him and is showing everybody what he is made of.
"And I bet he can still get better - and that he thinks he can. You do think like that when you are playing great.
"It's very impressive that he can come to St Andrews and be able to control the bumps and bounces like he has.
Faldo's next two events are in America, but before departing he hopes to have talks with European tour executive director Ken Schofield over the Mark James book row.
Faldo, criticised by his former cup team-mate, has been appalled by the lack of action from the tour on the matter so far.
Two weeks ago James received a vote of confidence as a vice-captain to Sam Torrance for next year's match from the tournament committee, but Faldo believes it is James' position as chairman of that committee which needs to be reviewed.
"It has been brushed under the carpet and it's really a tour issue now," said Faldo.
"I'm not saying what I want the outcome to be - I will accept it whatever it is - but this has opened up a can of worms and an awful lot of players can't understand why the tour has not sat down and had a proper meeting.
"If there has been a breach of the code of conduct it should be looked at - that's the whole purpose of having a rule book. And it does not matter who you
are."
