Peter Baker clinched the season-long Legends Tour Order of Merit in ultimate style by birdieing the final hole for a one-shot win in the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius at Constance Belle Mare Plage.
It was a dramatic day on the Legend Course as the destination of the title and the John Jacobs award as the MCB Road to Mauritius number one came down to the very last hole of the 2023 Legends Tour season, with Baker producing a magnificent second shot into the par-5 closing hole to set up the winning birdie.
The former Ryder Cup player and Adilson da Silva started the day tied one off the lead and both had a chance to win and top the MCB Road to Mauritius. With so much on the line, and a host of other players in contention for the tournament, it took a brilliant final surge of four birdies in the last six holes for Baker to get over the line.
Three rounds of 67 and a winning total of -15 was enough for Baker to earn his fourth title of the year – joining the Irish Legends, JCB Championship and Staysure PGA Seniors Championship in his trophy cabinet.
Peter is also Head Professional at South Staffordshire Golf Club in Wolverhampton. The most successful season of his long career has been documented in each issue of Midlands Golfer and our personal congratulations go to him and his family.
“It’s absolutely fantastic,” Peter enthused. “It’s something I didn’t think of at the start of the year, but after three wins it put me in a brilliant position. Adilson had a fantastic year as well, and winning last week. I’ve put a lot of time and effort in because I knew it would go all the way to the wire.
Even this week, I said to my wife, I think we need to win this because he’s going to be right there. I was trying to win the tournament because I thought that was needed.”
“I hit a good drive on 18 and I saw Patrik miss a putt on the green that I thought was probably for birdie. I knew we were tied so I thought it was birdie to win the tournament. We play to win tournaments and I’ve probably never hit a better five-wood than that, it was all over it. I’m really pleased with that shot.”
Baker had lent on good friend and former Masters champion Ian Woosnam throughout the year: “He’s really supported me and we talk a lot. He’s blunt, as you can imagine, which is great, that’s how we are. He’s really encouraged me throughout the year. I had a lot of help from Michael Welch at home in Shropshire, as well. You need that support. It’s a tough game, so I’m very appreciate of all the help I’ve had.”
Behind Baker and Da Silva, the rest of the top-five in the MCB Road to Mauritius were James Kingston in 3rd, Ricardo Gonzalez in 4th and Sjoland in 5th. They each take a share of a $100,000 bonus pool for their efforts throughout the season.
Visit www.legendstour.com to see the full leaderboard, and final MCB Road to Mauritius standings.
TOP TROPHY PICTURE – C/O GETTY IMAGES
