Baker-Finch by 13 shots

Press, 24 October 1984, Page 35

Baker-Finch by 13 shots

NZPA-AAP Sydney Queenslander, lan BakerFinch, has set his sights on next month’s Australian Open as his new goal after his record-breaking 13-shot victory in the $lOO,OOO National Panasonic New South Wales Open golf Tournament at the Lakes course. The Queensland professional capped a phenomenal four days of golf when he blitzed a classy field to romp home in 15-under par, 277. Baker-Finch’s winning martin is a record for the New outh Wales Open and ranks only second to a fellow Queenslander, Randall Vines’ 17stroke success in the 1968 Tasmanian Open as the greatest victory gap in Australian tournament golf. The Queenslander has taken the West Australian and New Zealand Opens in the last 12

months as well as being runner-up to Peter Fowler in last year’s Australian Open. The victory achieves for Baker-Finch an important landmark after blowing his chance of greatness when he led the 1984 British Open field into the last day only to crumble to a closing round 79. The $200,000 Australian Open at Royal Melbourne, starting on November 15, has attracted the world’s number one, Tom Watson. It was left to the recent Queensland Open champion Peter Senior to chase BakerFinch with minimal effect. He finished with a two-under total of 290 after a final round of 69. Final scores: . 277 — lan Baker-Finch (Queensland) 69, 70, 68, 70. 290 — Peter Senior (Queensland) 71, 72, 78, 69. 292 — Rodger Davis (New South Wales) 73, 71, 75, 73.

293 — Michael Harwood (New South Wales) 72, 76, 76,

294 — Greg Norman (Queensland) 74, 72, 69, 79. 295 — David Graham (New South Wales) 78, 71, 76, 70. 296 — Anthony Gilligan (New South Wales) 76, 72, 78, 70; Bob Shaw (New South Wales) 76, 72, 74, 74; Roger Mackay (Western Australia) 72, 71, 79, 74; Mike Colandro (United States) 76, 76, 71, 73. 297 — Bob Shearer (Victoria) 70, 78, 74, 75; Peter Fowler (New South Wales) 73, 72, 77, 75; Brent Murray (United States) 74, 75, 71, 77. 298 — Ted Ball (New South Wales) 76, 71, 77, 74. 300 — Barry Vivian (New Zealand) 81, 72, 72, 75; Roger Stephens (South Australia) 76, 77, 72, 75; Graham Marsh (Western Australia) 76, 74, 73, 77; Stuart Reese (New Zealand) 75, 77, 76, 72.