Baker takes lead at Belle Mare Plage with sensational 62!

Peter Baker rose from his sick bed to shoot a blistering 10-under-par 62 and take the lead in the MCB Tour Championship Mauritius at Constance Belle Mare Plage.

Baker, the defending champion, almost reluctantly pulled out of the tournament after his first round as he was feeling poorly.

But some medical attention helped him to tee it up on Saturday morning and produce one of the most spectacular rounds of his long and distinguished career.

The Englishman made five birdies on the front nine including three in four holes before the turn.

He dropped a shot at the par-4 12th but then remarkably needed only 19 strokes to complete the six holes to finish his round.

Four birdies in a row from the 13th were followed by a par at 17 and an eagle on the last.

Baker’s stunning round leaves him on 12 under after two rounds, one clear of Carl Suneson of Spain and two ahead of Scotland’s Greig Hutcheon.

“I’ve felt poorly and haven’t slept well at all for two nights. I have a really sore throat but got something from the doctor and that made me feel a bit better and able to play - Baker said after his stunning round.

“I hit a couple of bad tee shots but got away with them and hit a few nice approaches and a good long putt on the last. It just felt like a strange day - and maybe I’m better off being half sleep!

“I really, really enjoy coming here and the course just gets better every year. It’s just a lovely, lovely place to be,” added the reigning order of merit champion.

Suneson carded a blemish-free round of 65 to move up the leaderboard, making seven birdies as he rose into contention.

Hutcheon, the joint first-round leader, had a quieter day as he made three birdies and a bogey on the front then picked up a stroke at the 15th coming in.

He is one ahead of a four-strong group on nine under that includes Adilson da Silva, who is striving to win the order of merit.

The Brazilian was unhappy with his play on Friday but made seven birdies and no bogeys as he kept both hands on the John Jacobs Trophy and also gave himself a chance of winning the tournament.

South Africa’s James Kingston, the order of merit winner two years ago, fired a 66 to get to nine under alongside Simon Griffiths and Robert Coles of England

It was an up and down day for European legend Colin Montgomerie.

He opened with a 67 to post notice he meant business in Mauritius but he made five bogeys in his second round that meant the seven birdies he made counted for just a two-shot advance.

He is on seven under and will require a sensational final round to haul in Baker, Suneson and Hutcheon.

It was a better day for his fellow Scot Paul Lawrie, who posted a six at the 2nd and 18th but in between made six birdies for a three under round to get to three under for the tournament.

The 1999 Open champion was full of praise for the Legends course at Constance Belle Mare Plage after his round.

“I’ve been here three times now and the course is better than ever. They’ve cleared out some bushes and trees and that’s made it more open and enjoyable,” said the two-time Ryder Cup player.

“The condition is fantastic – the greens are rolling beautifully – and if you can’t enjoy playing here, golf is the wrong sport for you!”

Find more on this season finale here.

Check the ranking here.