Monday 5 October 2015 13:17, UK
Peter Baker has welcomed the return of the British Masters to the European Tour schedule and reflected on his record-breaking victory in 1993.
The Englishman's win over a star-studded field at Woburn kick-started a superb run of form which earned him a career-best seventh place finish on the Order of Merit as well as a memorable Ryder Cup debut at The Belfry.
Baker first rose to prominence as a raw 20-year-old in 1988, when he won the Benson and Hedges International Open at Fulford after beating Nick Faldo with an eagle on the second play-off hole.
But he failed to add to that victory until he arrived at Woburn in 1993, blitzing the Duke's Course for a stunning nine-under 63 in the final round as he stormed to a seven-shot victory over a field that included the likes of Masters champion Sandy Lyle, Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer, Faldo and Jose Maria Olazabal.
His winning score of 266, 22 under par, broke the previous tournament best set by Faldo on the same course four years earlier, and Baker's record remained unbeaten until the last staging of the event in 2008.
It’s fantastic to have it back on the European Tour schedule, and especially at Woburn. The British Masters brings back special memories
"Obviously it was a very exciting time, and the tournament brings back some special memories for me," said Baker, now 47 and the head PGA professional at the South Staffordshire Golf Club.
"It was one of the biggest events in Europe, not just in Great Britain, and Woburn has always been such a great venue - there were always huge crowds there. So it’s fantastic to have it back on the European Tour schedule, and especially being back at Woburn.
"You’re guaranteed to have the crowds supporting the event very well, and I think every golf fan in the country will be delighted to have another tournament in Britain back on the calendar."
Baker enjoyed one of the best weeks of his career in the 1993 tournament, although he admitted he did not allow himself to relax until he had safely found the fairway with his final tee shot despite being so far clear of nearest challenger Carl Mason.
Magical week
"I had one of those weeks where it all went very well, I played some great golf and it just all came together," he added. "My wife and my youngest daughter were there with me as well, which also helped to make it such a magical week.
"I really enjoyed that 63 on the Sunday. I hit some great shots, putted really well and had a great run of birdies.
"But I never really relaxed until I had hit my tee shot at the 18th. It’s a par-five with out-of-bounds all the way down the left and lots of trees on the right. So once I’d got that shot away down the middle of the fairway, that was the most relaxed I had felt all day.
"Even though I did win it by quite a few shots, it wasn’t until I had got that drive safely away that I felt I could really enjoy it. And to win in that company, it was massive for me. It’s great to win any time, but when you’re playing on a top course against the top players in your home country, that all made it very special.
"It was Ryder Cup year as well, and that win went a long way towards getting myself into Europe’s Ryder Cup team. It all happened in the right order at the right time and it was just a fantastic week for me.
"I had played well the week before in the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth, so I was happy with my game when I arrived at Woburn. That win was the start of a great run for me. I won again at the Scandinavian Masters, finished second in Germany and had a few other top 10s.
Confidence boost
"So my win at Woburn was obviously a big confidence boost for me," added Baker, who went on to enjoy a superb Ryder Cup debut as he won three of his four matches.
He won both his fourballs matches alongside close-friend Ian Woosnam, including a 6&5 thrashing of Fred Couples and Paul Azinger, and Baker then got the better of Corey Pavin in a closely-fought singles battle.
Despite his efforts, Baker was one of only three Europeans to win on the final day as the United States snatched a 15-13 victory, but he still has fond memories of his performance.
"Luckily for me, it was a home venue for me," he said. "I lived only a short distance from The Belfry, and I was partnered with my best mate Woosie. It was all good for me, and once I got that first point under my belt it was a huge relief.
"I won twice with Woosie and then managed to beat Corey Pavin in my singles. He was a tough guy to play against, but it just went my way on the day.
"It was a great team to be on. We had Seve, Langer, Faldo, Woosie, Monty and Olazabal – so to this day I’m still trying to work out how we lost! I guess it was just one of those things."
