Senior Open: Peter Baker sets up biggest day of his career at age of 58

Halfway leader Cameron Percy and Jerry Kelly share top spot on eight under par heading into the closing circuit of the final over-50s’ major of the season on the King’s Course, where conditions have been tricky all week in a westerly wind at the Perthshire venue.

But Baker, who played in the 1993 Ryder Cup at The Belfry, has the duo in his sights after picking up four birdies in the last five holes to sit as their closest challenger on five under in the $2 million tournament.

The Englishman won three times on the DP World Tour, where he was the Rookie of the Year in 1987. Since turning 50, he’s landed eight European Senior Tour victories and was Rookie of the Year on that circuit as well in 2023.

In the prime of his career, the Shropshire man finished joint-15th in The Open in 1998, but, by his own admission, he’s not yet done himself justice in any of the over-50s’ majors.

“I’ve been useless in them, to be honest,” he admitted after signing for a three-under-par 67. “I think my best one was on Florida this year and, even then, I think I was maybe 16th. I’ve never done any good in any of them.”

Has he been diappointed about that? “Yeah, definitely, especially on links courses as I love links courses,” he added. “I was disappointed at Carnoustie a few years ago, for example.”

Paul Broadhurst sprung a surprise when winning this event at Carnoustie in 2016, four years after Roger Chapman, another Englishman who could be described as a journeyman professional on the main tour, won the US Senior Open.

“Listen, there is a long way to go,” said Baker of having given himself a similar huge opportunity, with the winner not only earning a Champions Tour exemption but also securing a spot in The 155th Open at St Andrews next year. “But it’s exciting to have a chance, especially as I’ve never had a chance in this before.”

Unlike either Percy or Kelly, Baker played on the King’s Course when it staged the Bell’s Scottish Open, but he laughed after being asked if that experience could stand him in good stead on Sunday.

“No, I always terrible around here,” he said. “There’s no-one more amazed than me this week (laughing). I’ve always found it really difficult and tricky, so I am surprised, really.”

Halfway leader Percy was three over afrer four holes before hauling himself back into a share of top spot by finishing birdie-par-eagle. “Very happy with the end,” admitted the 52-year-old, who finished fifth at Sunningdale on his debut 12 months ago.

“Struggled all day. I couldn't hit it. I couldn't chip it. I couldn't put it. Miss judging wind and pretty much did everything wrong. So to finish birdie-par-eagles was very nice. I'm not out of it anymore. So that's good.”

Kelly, who is a year older than Baker, came home in 32 to share top spot with Percy. Asked what it would mean to win this event, the American said: “Yeah, that would be one of the most special things at this stage of my career. Like any player, I might treasure that above all else.”

Stephen Gallacer, who sits joint-24th on two over, is the leading Scot, two ahead of Greig Hutcheon, with Paul Lawrie slipping from par at the midpoint to seven over.