All of that could change in 2011 as Baker-Finch's coming of age as a senior and a two-year exemption to the Champions Tour as a past major winner, provides him with the opportunity to show us all that ‘the guy can play’ more frequently. Who knows. If he can get the flat stick working as it did in his heyday of the late 80s and early 90s, it would be no surprise to see Baker-Finch feature at the pointy end of some tournaments over the next few years on course setups that you’d have to think would be well suited to his game.
The big ‘but’ is: will he have the time or the inclination to devote more of himself to his game to make more than just ceremonial appearances on tour between commentating commitments?
The magical 50 mark can often mean the onset of a mid life crisis! A Ponytail, earring and a Harley Davidson: give me a timeframe on each?
[Laughing] No, nothing like that. Nothing has changed, it’s just another birthday.
Has time flown when you think about it?
It really has. Looking back, I’ve been a TV announcer or analyst for about 14 years now and am about to sign on again with CBS. That’s longer than I was a touring professional. I love the work and it gives me a chance to stay in touch with the game and to travel.
Looking back, you introduced yourself on the world stage at the 1984 Open, where Seve Ballesteros triumphed at St Andrews. You were paired with Tom Watson in the last group in the final round at the Home of Golf. That must have been a surreal experience at the time?
It certainly was. It was that epic battle where Seve birdied the 18th and Watson bogeying 17 after hitting it against the wall over the green. I was leading after two rounds and paired with Watson in the final round. That event gave me the self belief that I could compete at an international level, proof that all the hard work was paying off.
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