Nick Faldo has explained that he lost the ‘nerve’ required to play in the Masters. The three-time champion was put on the spot over his own participation after watching Bernhard Langer play in his final tournament aged 67.

Faldo is the same age as Langer but last played at Augusta in 2006. Both players battled for golf’s biggest prizes throughout the 1980s and 1990s but Langer trumps his former rival for longevity. The German played in his 41st and final Masters this week, but just missed out on the cut for the weekend’s action.

While Langer was playing alongside players four decades his junior, Faldo was in the Sky Sports commentary box. Asked why he never considered playing in the sport’s biggest event into his 60s, the American said: “The nerve, I think when you start to lose your touch a little bit, you get frustrated, you can't play like you used to play.

“But Bernhard is the epitome of dedication, he goes to the gym and looks after himself. We complain that we don't stretch and things but we don't do it do we, he did. We have to commend him for being out there.”

Langer was cut from the field after hitting three over par across Thursday and Friday. He had already revealed that this would be his final Masters, having realised that he can no longer win on the course. A two-time former champion - winning his first in 1985 - Langer spoke emotionally after his second round.