The Dark Shark

Of course, you had another brush with the Open in 1990 at St Andrews and you’ve been quoted as saying how much you learned about how to win from being paired with Nick Faldo in that event. He hardly spoke a word to you at all, a completely different relationship to the one you have with him now in the booth?
Absolutely. I recall I didn’t putt particularly well in that event but Nick was completely in control that week and won easily in the end with a record score, I think. Nothing bothered him all week and it taught me a valuable lesson in how to focus on the job at hand, which helped me out the next year when I got another chance.

It’s 20 years this year since your Open win at Birkdale but I’ll bet it’s all as clear as yesterday?
It is. I had played well for a long period of time so I felt comfortable leading into that week that if I played well, I’d be a chance. However, you have weeks like that all the time where you feel that way so doing it is a different story. I was very focused and jumped out of the box well, particularly in the final round. I set myself a target to stay ahead of the pack and got to the point where I could play safe for a bogey up the final hole.
Any thoughts about making a return to the Open [Baker-Finch is exempt until aged 65 but has not played since 1997 at Royal St George's] this year?
No, I’m not playing enough to kid myself that I can ‘be an athlete’ when I don’t play full-time. If I put my mind to it, I feel I could compete but it’s so hard when you work 20-odd weeks in the US and three back at home.

What are your thoughts about the Champions Tour this year – excited, nervous or both?
I’m a bit excited but without great expectations. I played in Perth [in the Australian Senior Open in October 2010] and didn’t drive the ball all that well but I think that was just a mental thing, because the course was so tight. In the final rounds, I ditched the driver and used a 3-wood off the tees and didn’t play too badly after that to finish in a tie for 15th. I’m looking forward to having some fun but I’m only playing a few events here and there.