Baker, Donaldson & McGinley Reflect Ahead of Opening Day

Former Ryder Cup star Peter Baker says it would be a “dream come true” if he was able to make it a hat-trick of victories in the MCB Mauritius Championship this week at Constance Belle Mare Plage.

Baker, who also won the Legends Tour order of merit when he won the first of his titles at the Indian Ocean island resort in 2023, is full of anticipation as well as nerves as he prepares for his tilt at a third win in a row at Belle Mare Plage.

“I’ve never been in this position before – having the chance to win a tournament three years in a row,” said Baker, a European Ryder Cup player in 1993.

“The Legend course at Belle Mare Plage just suits my eye. You have to keep it straight and, hole a few putts here, and I’ve managed to do that in the past couple of years.

“There are some younger players in the field this year though so it is going to be a tough challenge to win it again, but I can’t wait to have a go.”

One of those younger players Baker mentions is Jamie Donaldson, the hero of the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

Donaldson turned 50 this year and is eligible for the Legends Tour, so makes his debut in the MCB Mauritius Championship this week.

However it is not his first experience of the course, and indeed he has already won on Constance Belle Mare Plage’s Legends course, back in the 2008 Mauritius Open.

“It holds good memories for me, yes,” said Donaldson, who holed the winning putt at Gleneagles in 2014. “That was a long time ago though! Things have changed since then… not least the course, which is even better now than I remember it.

“It’s in absolutely superb condition and I like, that they have cleared out a lot of bushes and trees so you can see through holes a bit.

“I’m really enjoying life on the Legends Tour and the you can come somewhere like Belle Mare Plage, you feel really fortunate.”

Those views were echoed by Paul McGinley, another man in the field who has holed a winning putt in a Ryder Cup – as well as being a celebrated captain of the European side.

“I don’t play too much these days but this was one event I was very keen to come and play in,” said McGinley, now one of the most erudite television pundits in golf.

“Constance Belle Mare Plage is a beautiful spot and I am so pleased to be here, and hope to put in a good performance.

“I have been working hard to get my game in shape and I know there is some good golf in there – I just need to find it.”

Scott Hend has the Legends Tour order of merit wrapped up already after a stellar season, so all eyes are on who can claim the MCB Mauritius Championship title this week.

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