Near-perfect course and playing conditions resulted in scintillating golf by the Legends at Constance Belle Mare Plage, reports MARK SAMPSON.
Moving day at the MCB Tour Championship didn’t disappoint with several players going full throttle in the year’s final event.
Scotland’s Doug McGuigan rolled in five birdies on the front nine to show his intentions after an underwhelming 72 on day one. It was much of the same on the back nine with another four birdies to sign for an eight-under-par 64 and set the early pace.
South Africa’s James Kingston had a better day with the putter, carding six birdies and a sublime eagle on the 13th. With only two blemishes on the card he signed for a 66 placing him at nine under par, three behind the leader.
Keith Horne was unable to continue with his good form from day one and ended on 70 leaving him at eight under, four shots adrift.
Spain’s Carl Suneson continued with his good for with a blemish-free round. With three birdies on the front nine and another four on the back nine the man playing out of Grand Canaries left himself one shot adrift on 11 under par.
The day belonged to last year’s winner and the man sitting third on the Order of Merit rankings, Peter Baker. The Englishman played near-perfect golf plotting his way around the course with meticulous perfection.
Unsure of being able to start due to a head-cold through the night the round was very unexpected, said the Englishmen.
A few loose shots early on, with no damage, and things started to fall into place. Thirty-one shots on either nine, with nine birdies and an eagle on the 18th placed him one shot ahead of the pack.
This leaves him with the opportunity to duplicate last year’s win and an outside chance of moving ahead of Adilson da Silva to raise the John Jacobs trophy for leading the Order of Merit.
With 11 players within four shots, or better, to Peter Baker, Sunday promises to be as hot as the weather.
Come Sunday afternoon will someone come romping through the field or will the season finale end in a play-off?
With multiple possible outcomes the excitement is palpable at the Links course, Constance Belle Mare Plage.
