Book of the week: Faldo/Norman - The 1996 Masters by Andy Farrell
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Coming second in a major is hardly a disgrace – there are many very good golfers who never manage to rise as high. But when you have started the final round six shots ahead of your nearest rival and end the day five shots adrift, defeat must scar the soul.
This was Greg Norman’s fate at the 1996 Masters. Andy Farrell, formerly of this parish, has revisited the scene of the Australian’s disaster, and Nick Faldo’s triumph, delving deep into both golfers’ psyche to explore what exactly happened that day, and why. The knee-jerk reaction at the time was that Norman had “choked”, but while it is true the Great White Shark won far fewer majors than forecast when he first burst on to the scene – “only” two Opens – he did win more than 90 tournaments, hardly consistent with a losing mentality. But majors are different. And from his first shot of that final round – a pulled drive into the trees – it was clear Norman was out of sorts. Even the normally imperturbable Faldo admitted that, for the first time ever, his knees buckled as he addressed a shot, such was the pressure on that last pairing. But at the turn he was only one shot behind, and after that, Norman said: “Everything started to cave in.”
By the end, the crowd were confused: “It was unlike any Masters I’ve ever seen,” said one regular. “It was like a funeral out there.” And then came The Hug, as Faldo spontaneously folded Norman into his arms in a gesture that seemed to surprise both players, but which Norman later said he greatly appreciated.
Farrell’s chronological structure, a hole a chapter, works well, as he draws on a wealth of expert witnesses along the way to help explain the unfolding drama. While he is admirably fair to both protagonists, his book is more likely to end up on Faldo’s bookshelves than Norman’s.
Published in hardback by Elliott & Thompson, £14.99
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments