Ian Baker-Finch

The youngest of six children, Ian grew up in country Queensland where his parents instilled a passion for golf in their children. Receiving his first set of clubs at the age of twelve, Ian played imaginary British Opens around the farm, competing against Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus. Less than twenty years later, he would attain the ultimate golfing championship - winning the 1991 British Open at Royal Birkdale, and co-owning the best final 36 hole score at a major world title (64-66-130).
Ian won his first professional tournament, the New Zealand Open, in 1983. The following year, he led the British Open at St. Andrews for three rounds before tying for 9th place behind Seve Ballesteros, after which an invitation to play in the 1985 US Masters was forthcoming.
In the lead-up to his British Open title, Ian Baker Finch won tournaments in Australia, Japan and the USA, consistently improving on his World Sony Ranking which peaked at 10th place at the conclusion of 1991. Ian has seventeen tournament victories to his credit. Other career highlights include two Dunhill Cup appearances (1989 and 1992) and his place in the World Cup team in 1985. In 1996, he was appointed co-captain of the International team for the Presidents Cup. During the course of his career, Ian has benefited from the guidance of the likes of Peter Thomson, David Leadbetter, Mitchell Spearman and Stephen Benn.
Since relocating the family back to Queensland in 1996, Ian has been consolidating his business activities and refocusing on the game in order to reclaim his world ranking. He has an active interest in course design, property development, sports apparel, retailing and golf tuition, and is a respected television commentator on the Australian and overseas circuit. Ian and Jennie also established a charity trust, which distributes funds raised through charity golf days to cancer research and children's hospitals. Ian Baker Finch is presently on the Board of Directors of the Australian PGA Tour body.