Near perfect conditions set the tone for the final round of the MCB Tour Championship in Mauritius, reports MARK SAMPSON.
Simon Griffiths continued his good form from day two with four birdies on the front nine. That, with his 64 on day two, meant a 12-under-par tally for his last 27 holes and with that form the back nine on Sunday placed him very much in the running.
South African Keith Horne seemed to wake from his day two’s slumber with a blemish-free five-under-par 31. Unfortunately, his momentum came to a grinding halt with a double-bogey on the tight par-four 12th.
Peter Baker played steady golf on the front nine with two red numbers and a bogey for a one-under-par 35. This left him in a three-way tie at 13 under par and the stage set for the final nine holes at the Links Course at Constance Belle Mare Plage.
As the final nine holes played out it became clear it was a two-horse race. Keith Horne, James Kingston, Greg Hutcheon and Carl Suneson all ended on 13 under par after 54 holes leaving the stage open for Griffiths and Baker.
Holes 14 to 16 saw them tied on 14 under par with both making incredible birdies on 17 and 18 to tie things up on 16 under par.
Griffiths playing the last two rounds blemish free. This left the two having to play the 18th in a sudden-death playoff.
After two attempts of playing the par five the two players were still locked on the same score with both men making consecutive birdies.
On the third playoff hole it was Griffiths who flinched first pulling his approach left. Baker didn’t falter and found the back of the green for two.
Griffiths left himself with a near-impossible up and down which he was unable to achieve, leaving him with a par five.
This left Baker with two putts for the win which he duly obliged to take home the trophy for the second year in a row.
All was not lost for Griffiths who won Rookie of the Year, taking home the Barry Lane trophy.
Adilson da Silva maintained his position at the top of the Order of Merit to take home the John Jacobs trophy.
And so, ends the 13th MCB Tour Championship played at the magnificent Links Course, Constance Belle Mare Plage.
Photo: Mark Sampson
