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Peter Baker delivers a master class in Greece to claim Costa Navarino legends title

Peter Baker delivers a master class in Greece to claim Costa Navarino legends title

Khaleej Times17-06-2025
Peter Baker secured his eighth Legends Tour title in style, closing with a best-of-the-day 66 to win the Costa Navarino Legends Tour Trophy by an emphatic six shots in south-west Greece.
The former Ryder Cup player started the final day a shot behind overnight leader Paul Lawrie. But Baker overtook him by the 4th hole and never looked back, delivering a bogey-free round to finish at 16-under for the tournament.
Baker made a steady start with pars on his first three holes, then a birdie on the 4th kick-started his move to the top of the leaderboard. Although 1999 Open Champion Lawrie opened with a birdie, a double bogey on the 3rd followed by a bogey on the 4th handed Baker a two-shot advantage, a lead he would not relinquish.
The 2023 Order of Merit winner pressed on, adding birdies on the 6th and 7th to reach the turn in 33 and move four clear. His domination continued with another birdie at the par-5 11th and a further gain on the 15th, extending his lead to a comfortable five shots with just three holes to play.
The 57-year-old finished strong by making a birdie on the penultimate hole and safely two-putted from long range at the last to complete a bogey-free week and a resounding triumph.
'I'm absolutely delighted,' said the three-time DP World Tour winner afterwards. 'It was a tough day. The wind was a little bit different, a little bit stronger today. It was difficult out there, so we had to adapt, and I managed to do that early on. I played nicely and putted nicely today. I holed out well and holed a couple of longer ones, which you've got to do to win.'
'It was just one of those days when you try not to make any mistakes, and I didn't drop a shot all week, which is a massive thing, really. I was really grinding there at the last from about 40 feet because I didn't want to give that bogey-free record away.'
Baker was a picture of consistency all week, posting two 67s in the first two rounds - at the Olympic and Hills courses - before adding Sunday's 66 to lift the trophy.
Having finished 2nd in last season's Order of Merit after topping it in 2023, this win moves him from 7th to 2nd in the current standings. Earlier this season, Baker finished tied 2nd in the OFX Irish Legends and tied 4th at the Staysure Marbella Legends in 2025.
'I want to contend for the Order of Merit again,' said Baker. 'I want to try and play well throughout the year and win tournaments. That's always been my goal.
"If you've got a chance in the Order of Merit, then great. There are a lot of good players out here, a lot of winners, so it'll be up and down through the year, but you just keep going and keep trying your best.'
The Legends Tour now heads to a Major Championship, with the US Senior Open at The Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado next week. The next regular event is the Reignwood Legends Championship in China from 4-6 July.
For further information, visit www.legendstour.com.
Final Standings:
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