A set of deer antlers almost kept Nick Faldo from playing in his final British Open round at St. Andrews.
After opening with 83 on Day 1 of a largely ceremonial final appearance at the Home of Golf, Faldowas taking off his shirt. As he lifted his arms, Faldo flung his hands back and impaled his middle finger on his right hand on a wall-mounted deer head. The wound re-opened on Friday morning, forcing Faldo to the hospital and wondering if he should even play. Faldo didn't really have a choice.
"When your kids look at you and say, Dad, you know, we think you should do it. Well, I've got to do it now," Faldo said to ESPN.
Faldo ended in style, shooting 1-under 71 on Friday, including a dizzying birdie on the Road Hole.
After teeing off on the 18th hole, Faldo put on the sweater he wore in the final round of his first Open victory in 1987 at Muirfield before walking onto the Swilcan Bridge, posing for pictures, including with his son and caddie Matthew.
"That was the goal for the week," Faldo said, "to get the photo on the Swilcan Bridge."
Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson, who were playing the parallel first hole as Faldo was ending his day, even stopped to applaud the three-time Open winner.
The 57-year-old intends to play in two more Opens, through 2017, when his champion's exemption ends.
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