The 44-year-old finished in fifth place overall on five over.

And Faldo is confident of building on his best performance in recent times when he begins his Open Championship campaign at Muirfield next month.

He said: "That was as good as my heyday, that really was.

"I hit so many solid shots, that was as good as 10 years ago, or maybe as good as Augusta, when I won (the 1996 US Masters).

"All the work I've done in the last month has given me a real big boost.

"When I get to Muirfield, you never know. I obviously love the place and, if I can play the wind shots the way I want to, who knows, I might have a helluva week."

The six times major champion won two of his three British Open crowns at Muirfield, in 1987 and 1992.

"It's the shot-making ability there," Faldo said. "Muirfield is our (Britain's) best course for that - you've really got to play the golf course, you've got to manoeuvre the ball well."

Faldo was also delighted to claim the top-15 finish that will see him return to the US Open next year.

"I knew what I wanted to do this week. I was doing well and, if worse came to worse, I just wanted to make the top 15 and get exempt. To finish top 10, that was really great.

"At least I know the things I'm doing make my golf better. It's kind of nice at my age."

The Open Championship begins on 18 July.