Golf: Faldo back on course: World No 1 seeks revenge in Belgian Open

NICK FALDO has a score to settle with a course which a year ago he called a 'hidden gem' when he competes in the Alfred Dunhill Belgian Open, beginning at the Royal Zoute Golf Club in Knokke-le-Zoute today.

Twelve months ago, Faldo was leading by three shots after eight holes of his final round. Then he dropped six shots in the next 10 holes to finish joint fifth.

After taking a week off following the Ryder Cup at The Belfry, he is back on a course he considers one of the best on the Volvo European Tour.

He said yesterday: 'The Ryder Cup was the most exhausting week of my golfing life and I've been resting more or less ever since. I did play a couple of rounds to which I was committed and I did a spot of fishing but most of the time I did absolutely nothing. I have never been so shattered in all my life.'

Faldo leads the European Order of Merit, 15,598 points ahead of Ian Woosnam, and would like to finish top of the money list for the second successive year.

But he is playing in only two of the last three European tournaments, here and the Volvo Masters in Valderrama, Spain, next month. 'That will not change,' he says, 'regardless of how Woosie goes or anyone else.'

----------------------------------------------------------------- CARD OF THE COURSE ----------------------------------------------------------------- Hole Yards Par Hole Yards Par 1st 420 4 10th 384 4 2nd 395 4 11th 209 3 3rd 148 3 12th 531 5 4th 417 4 13th 446 4 5th 470 4 14th 390 4 6th 415 4 15th 550 5 7th 386 4 16th 183 3 8th 207 3 17th 546 5 9th 402 4 18th 383 4 Out: 3,260 34 In: 3,622 37 Total: 6,882 71 -----------------------------------------------------------------