Arise, Sir Nick

This weekend the golfing world turns its eyes to Bethpage State Park and the Black course for the second major championship of the season.

The golfing stars of today will have to be at the top of their game to make a challenge for one of the most coveted prizes in the sport and it's set to be a fascinating four days of play over one of the toughest courses in championship golf.

One man looking on as a very interested spectator from his commentary booth will be one of the modern day greats who I'm sure would love to still be out there competing.

Britain's most successful golfer of the modern era, Nick Faldo was recognised recently in the Queen's birthday honours list and will be knighted for his services to golf. It is long overdue, not only for Nick and his career full of wonderful achievements, but to the sport of golf.

Amazingly, he becomes only the second British golfer ever to be awarded such an honour - I doubt whether a major winning tennis player or footballer would have had to wait so long, and Nick won six of them!

Faldo's three Masters and three Open titles came in a nine-year stretch bet_ween 1987 and 1996 when he dominated the sport, winning more majors than any other player in the world. His name sat at the top of the world rankings for more than 90 weeks.

His first Open win at Muirfield was followed in 1989 by a first Masters triumph over Scott Hoch in a play-off. He then successfully defended the title in 1990 with a play-off victory over Ray Floyd, before winning a second Open three months later with a record-low score of 18 under at St Andrews. His third Open arrived in 1992, and his final major victory at the Masters in 1996 was perhaps his most memorable. Trailing Greg Norman by six strokes heading into the last round, he shot a 67 to the Australian's 78 to win by five shots.

Twice a European Order of Merit winner in 1983 and 1992, Faldo also picked up the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award following his 1989 Masters triumph.

Often criticised for his persona and single-minded approach to the game, Faldo ripped up the template for how professional golf should be approached with his dedication and desire. A talented youngster and already a winner on tour, but with a fragile technique under pressure, Faldo decided to completely overhaul his swing to withstand the pressure cooker environment of major championship golf.

His Ryder Cup record is second to none - he made 11 appearances winning a record 23 points and his uncharacteristic failure as captain last year at Valhalla will not be what he is remembered for.

He will be remembered as a steely competitor, who turned himself into the best golfer in the world, feared by opponents all over the world much in the way Tiger is now. As a young golfer with aspirations of playing golf to the highest standard, he was an idol of mine and one of my fondest memories is meeting the man in person as a starry eyed 14-year-old!

Faldo has given much back to the sport since he retired from competitive play a few years ago. His Faldo Junior Series has produced some of the Tour's young stars in Nick Dougherty and Oliver Fisher, as well as helping to grow the game worldwide. We look forward to welcoming the series to Bahrain and the Royal Golf Club later this year for the first time.

A thoroughly deserved honour and about time too, so arise Sir Nick and why not Ma'am, while you're at it, Sir Tony (Jacklin), Sir Ian (Woosnam) and Sir Sandy (Lyle) too?!