The Loop

Sirak: Fanny Recalls Faldo's Comeback

April 13, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Can Tiger Woods come from six strokes behind on Sunday to win the Masters? Who better to ask than someone who was inside the ropes to witness one of the greatest comebacks -- and greatest collapses -- in major championship history.

"Absolutely," was the one word that jumped immediately from the mouth of Fanny Sunesson when asked on a brisk morning outside the Augusta National clubhouse if Woods could catch third-round leader Trevor Immelman. "I saw it done," she said in a reference to the 1996 come-from-behind victory by Nick Faldo with Sunesson as his caddie.

Faldo went head-to-head with Greg Norman that day, erased a six-stroke deficit by the 11th hole and eased to victory with a 67 while Norman was stumbling to a 78. "It's a shame that everyone remembers what Greg did that day and forgets Nick's round" she said. "He was brilliant. Tiger definitely has a chance today. The great thing about this golf course is that there are birdies and eagles out there, and there are also bogeys and double bogeys."

Sunesson works now for Henrik Stenson, a fellow Swede who started the final round 13 strokes back at two-over 218. Adding to the drama of the day is the forecast that by the time Woods tees off at 2:05 p.m., the wind will be gusting in the 25 to 30 mph range.

-- Ron Sirak