Baker-Finch talks British Open

BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2008 British Open | General | 09 Jul 2008

In a teleconference from Florida this morning, respected golfing commentator Ian Baker-Finch provided an interesting angle for those looking for a likely winner of the Open Championship in the absence of Tiger Woods.

“I’m a little unsure how some of the leading players might perform in Tiger’s absence as they are now expected to do well rather than hoping to have done so,” said Baker-Finch when asked who he would consider a contender for the title.

While he was non-specific as to who he was suggesting was not capable of stepping up to the plate, the names he may have been referring to might well have included the likes of Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia, all of whom have a window of opportunity over the next two major championships to take advantage of Woods’ absence.

Baker-Finch won the 1991 Open Championship at the venue for this year’s event, Royal Birkdale, when he produced a simply stunning front nine of 29 on the final day en route to a two shot victory over perhaps the forgotten man of that particular Open and fellow Australian, Mike Harwood.

Baker-Finch shared the lead with Mark O’Meara into the final day but took control early on day four, before a determined challenge from Harwood kept him honest until the final putt.

Baker-Finch will be at Royal Birkdale in his role as commentator for the TNT Network’s coverage of the opening two days of the event and their limited coverage of weekend golf, which they share with the ABC for an American audience.

Considerable change has been made to the Royal Birkdale layout since the event was last played there in 1998 and it appeared Baker-Finch was not overly keen on some of the changes.

“They have added 170 yards or so, made changes on nearly every hole and have butchered the 17th green,” he said referring to the new green built at the par five. “They have made the greenside bunkers deep and the green has become three tiered which is hardly in keeping with links golf. I understand they have already decided to reverse those particular changes after the event.”

Royal Birkdale has added 16 fairway bunkers, six new tees and re-contoured many of the greens, introducing mounding and swales into their surrounds.

While Baker Finch as a previous Open Champion has been entitled to play the Open Championship whenever he wished to do so, his last appearance was an ill fated one. That came in 1997 when he chose to play the event at Royal Troon as a very much part time player. He opened with a round of 92 and then withdrew.

“I wouldn’t say it still haunts me,” he said referring to the decision to play that week, “although when I am reminded about it by others it does.”

At the age of 47, Baker-Finch is regularly asked about his future in terms of playing the Champions Tour when he becomes eligible in late 2010 but he is clearly focused on his career in television commentary. While he plays on a regular basis, even during his commentating gigs, he gives every indication that his ongoing playing career will be restricted only to the occasional event.

Baker Finch often plays with fellow commentators Peter Kostis and Gary McCord at venues near where is commentating and regularly puts together low scores. Earlier this year he recorded a round of 61 at the El Dorado Country Club in Indian Wells on the par 71 layout. He is not yet convinced of his capacity to do it under the gun however.

“I am regaining confidence in my golf game for sure but it is one thing to play socially and another to play competitively.”

Baker-Finch has restructured his design business and now works closely with the design organisation of Gary Player after several years where he utilised the services of Jack Nicklaus’ company in his foray into golf course design.

Baker-Finch plans to play an event later this year in Australia when the Australian Masters Invitational is played at the Emerald Lakes Golf Club on the Gold Coast.

“I’m looking forward to it and I am not coming down to just make up the numbers,” he said referring to the 54 hole Pro Am event.

Whatever the outcome of Baker Finch’s week at Emerald Lakes, his participation will be of considerable intrigue for Gold Coast golf fans who are keen to see what has become of one of Australia’s most marketable golfing commodities and one of only four Australians to win the Open Championship.