Ryder Cup player makes Tiger Woods claim then questions golf's modern 'characters'

Former European Ryder Cup player Peter Baker believes nobody has come close to Tiger Woods over the past 30 years, and he has even questioned the skillset and the 'characters' in the modern game. 

Baker, 57, addressed a number of topics about the sport during an interview ahead of the Farmfoods European Senior Masters with event owners Champions (UK) plc. 

The three-time European Tour winner and member of the 1993 European Ryder Cup team believes there is now far 'too much emphasis on how far a player hits it' in 2024. 

A comment similar to the one we have heard previously from golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, who have both openly criticised the modern emphasis for chasing distance on the PGA Tour and everywhere else around the world. 

"I do think there's too much emphasis on how far you hit it, the length really," said Baker.

"I think that needs to be sorted out."

Baker then went further by claiming the game has become an awful lot easier to the one he remembers in the 80s and 90s. 

On the flip side, Baker does allude to the fact players today are much fitter and stronger. 

"There is a skillset of hitting the golf ball at the middle of the club at high speed, but I think when you miss it, the technology's helped straighten people out," continued Baker, who continues to apply his trade on the Legends Tour. 

"The difference between a quality strike and not such a quality strike probably isn't quite as high as it used to be.

"I remember the old woods, and even the old metal woods, you missed it and you sort of knew about it and lost a lot of distance, which is probably not the case in this day and age. 

"Everything's moved on. These guys are definitely fitter, they're definitely stronger.

"We used to take a long time to find the right club. We used to have to practice with different clubs and different shafts, and hopefully we found one.

"Now you can sort of do it within a day. There’s so much equipment out there that's top, top quality. If you haven't got the right equipment, it's your own fault, really."

When discussing the state of the modern game, Baker added: "It's changed a lot. Is it any more skilful? I’m not quite sure. Are there any characters in the game? Not quite sure about that either.

"That’s probably me moving towards the end of my career, looking back rather than looking forward. 

"Tiger Woods, obviously, I was fortunate to play with him a couple of times by the end of my career. He's been the standout, obviously, over the last 25-30 years, he's been the standout player. He was certainly very, very different and exceptionally good."

As for the game at large, Baker does believe it's in a good place as we head into 2025. 

"I don't think it's gone downhill. It's certainly open to a lot more people, which I think is a great thing," said Baker.

"I think Tiger did a brilliant job with that.

"He really opened it up, we now see a lot of youngsters playing, a lot of ladies playing. I think that's been brilliant for the game. I think it’s so open and more accessible to a lot more people, which is a massive plus on the pro side.

"I was lucky to play with the European ‘Big Five’. I thought they were very different, but very special individuals that took on the world and were world number ones and beat the world, which is an incredible achievement when you look back on it.

"We’ve still got great, great players now."

Baker was speaking ahead of the Farmfoods European Senior Masters, a competition part of the Legends Tour which takes place from 7-10 November at La Manga Club, Spain. 

To find out more about the event, visit: europeanseniormasters.com