Norman on his way to victory at the 1993 Open

Ten years earlier, he had led all four Majors going into their last days, but only took the Open title at Turnberry.

Most golfers can only dream of achieving the kind of consistency that has put Norman in contention so many times in his 25-year pro career.

But his trials at Augusta encapsulate the feeling that he should have underlined his talent with more Major wins.

He came fourth in his first Masters appearance in 1981, and five years later looked to be on his way to the title after three rounds.

But a final-round 65 secured a sixth triumph for Jack Nicklaus, leaving Norman one shot back in second with Tom Kite.

Agonies

He was on-form again the following year, shooting a third-day 66.

But, together with Severiano Ballesteros, Norman ended up losing a three-way sudden death play-off to Larry Mize.

Fifth and third places followed in 1988 and 1989, and another third came in 1995. But then came the agonies of 1996.

Norman hit a record-tying 63 in 1996 at Augusta

He shot a first-round 63 and at one stage in the final round, Norman had a six-shot lead.

He looked odds-on to don his first Green Jacket.

But Faldo kept up the chase, and watched - almost in sympathy - as the Great White lost his bite and collapsed in a flurry of bogeys.

Faldo went on to win by five, but didn't revel in his triumph.

He embraced the man who had beaten him by two strokes at the 1993 Open and murmured: "I don't know what to say."

Faldo had no way of knowing then that his sixth Major victory would turn out to be his last.

Of course, he could win again at one of the big four to add to his three Opens (1987, 1990, 1992) and Masters titles (1989-90, 1996).

Ryder Cup great

But, now aged 43 - three years younger than Norman - the odds on him doing so are becoming longer with every passing season.

By coincidence, he turned professional in the same year as Norman, 1976, and has notched 39 tournament wins and $10.3m in winnings.

He has also taken part in 11 Ryder Cups, winning in 1985, 1987, 1989, 1995 and 1997, and holds records for most matches played (46) and most points won (25).

Faldo's Ryder Cup record is superb

But since their 1996 Masters showdown, however, Faldo's on-course fortunes have gone into a relative decline.

He claimed a three-stroke victory at the 1997 Nissan Open, but has not won a tournament since.

Faldo had a terrible 1998, with a USPGA Tour best finish of 22nd. His highest in 1999 was a tied-fifth at the Michelob Championship.

Last year, he claimed a creditable seventh at the US Open, but that was his only top 20 finish in America.

Faldo has a Masters exemption until 2006, but since his 1996 win, he has missed three cuts at Augusta and last year tied for 28th.

Impressive

Norman is also no longer the player he once was, partly because of health problems which have restricted his tour appearances.

But he has kept plugging away, and continued his impressive record at Augusta in 1999 with a third place,

Despite a reduced schedule last year, he still managed 84th in the money list with $580,510, missing just two cuts in 12 starts.

But his fourth place at the Buick Classic was his best finish since that third at Augusta in 1999 and only his third top-10 since 1997.

Both Faldo and Norman have burgeoning business interests away from their playing careers - the Aussie even has his own wine label.

Norman has said he will quit the tour in 2003, and Faldo admits his commercial activities are now taking up more of his time.

Both, however, remain committed competitors and will be hoping that the magic of Augusta can once again bring out their best.