Peter would end the week victorious at the Barbados Legends hosted by (his good friend) Ian Woosnam. Back to back rounds of 67 started off his week in fine form before a final day 69 which would get him to -10 for the week. It was a score matched though by Australian Scott Hend and the pair would have to go through a play-off for the honours – which Peter won at the first extra hole.
It sets the tone for the new season with Baker and comes off the back of a stellar year in 2023 where Baker claimed four Legends Tour wins.
He claimed the titles at the Irish Legends, the JCB Championship, the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship and then the MCB Tour Championship in Mauritius to see off the strong challenge of Adilson da Silva in the Order of Merit, finishing 717.6 points ahead of his nearest rival. He’s now notched up a total of six wins on the Legends Tour to add to his three DP World Tour wins and another three on the Challenge Tour.
A committed Wolverhampton Wanderers FC fan, Baker’s iron play was on point throughout 2023 as he put himself in position to win time and time again – and his putting rarely let him down once on the greens, he was the dominant force of the season.
He turned pro in 1986, a year after he represented Great Britain & Ireland in the Walker Cup. His maiden European Tour win came in 1988, beating the World Number One Nick Faldo with an eagle putt on the second play-off hole at the Benson & Hedges International Open. Baker was just 20 years old.
1993 would be a year to remember for Baker, winning twice on the European Tour, finishing 7th on the Order of Merit and playing in the Ryder Cup. He would achieve a record-breaking 22 under par score to win the Dunhill British Masters by seven shots, seeing the likes of Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie fade into the distance. He would also win the Scandinavian Masters before lining up at the Belfry where he won three out of the four points he played for in the Ryder Cup. He would later become a Ryder Cup vice-captain under the leadership of Ian Woosnam for Europe’s victory at the K Club in 2006.
An engaging character with stories aplenty, Peter Baker is still the resident PGA Pro at South Staffordshire Golf Club and was the tournament host for the Legends Tour at the Farmfoods European Senior Masters in 2021, 2022 and 2023.