Baker-Finch weighing up comeback

FORMER British Open champion Ian Baker-Finch is mulling over a return to competitive golf after eight years away from the game.

Now 44, Baker-Finch’s game went downhill after his sole major win at Birkdale in 1991. He missed 32 cuts in a row on the US PGA Tour from 1994-97 and hit rock bottom at Troon in 1997 when he shot a 92.

The Australian has been working as a commentator on US television but is contemplating playing in some tournaments in Australasia this year.

“I’d like to play some events on tour, the smaller events, or maybe the Colonial or a Nationwide Tour event or a couple back in Australia. When I get to 50, I’d like to really try to compete on the Champions Tour,” he said.

He says in the past pressure to perform affected his game.

“I never really liked the look of my swing. The thing is, you’ve got to believe in yourself. When you lose that trust and you lose that belief...

“The frightening thing was, there were days when I could play really well, then the next day I’d hit three drives out-of-bounds and two in the water.

“It became a mental issue, obviously. My 68 on Wednesday became 76 on Thursday and 86 in a major.

“It was like the bigger the event, the more pressure, the more tension, the higher the score.”