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Iowa State University Athletics
Baker Wins First European Challenge Tour Event
06.21.2010 | Men's Golf
EL JADIDA, Morocco ? Former Iowa State standout golfer Chris Baker notched his third victory of his professional career in his debut event in the European Challenge Tour on Sunday, winning the Moroccan Golf Classic by two strokes with a 13-under par 275.
“I couldn't feel any happier than I do right now,” Baker said. “Winning is a great feeling, especially on my Challenge Tour debut. It's a great Tour with a lot of very good players out here, so I'm very proud of myself.”
The European Challenge Tour is the final developmental stage to the European Tour, similar to the PGA Tour's Nationwide Tour.
Baker was in contention throughout the weekend, being tied for the lead after the second round and sitting in second, three shots out, on Sunday. Baker played a bogey-free final round of 68, including a crucial birdie on the par-3 16th.
“My shot to the 16th hole was probably the turning point,” Baker said. “I hit a three iron to six inches and that birdie gave me some breathing space coming down the last two holes.”
Baker, who collected a first-place prize of 24,000 Euros, became the tenth player in Challenge Tour history to win in his debut event, a list that includes notable golfers such as 2008 Masters Champion Trevor Immelman and Darren Clarke. Baker is also the first American to win a Challenge Tour event since 2006, when Kevin Stadler won on his debut. Now instead of relying on sponsor's exemptions like he did for the Moroccan Golf Classic, he has full exempt status for the rest of the season to play in the Challenge Tour.
“I'll have to sit down and decide what to do next,” Baker said. “I might play in Spain next week, then after that who knows? The Challenge Tour is a great tour so it's very tempting.”
Baker most recently collected a first place prize at the eGolf Tour's River Hills Classic in South Carolina in May. Baker's first professional victory came at the NGA Hooters Classic back in May of 2009.
Baker spent his collegiate days building his confidence, capturing 16 top-10 finishes in his four years at Iowa State. By the time Baker left Ames, he was the all-time leader in single-season stroke average at 71.66 and career stroke average at 73.52. Iowa State's record for low 18-hole round is also held by Baker who fired a 64 en route to winning medalist honors at the Big Four tournament in 2007. In 2008, following his senior campaign, Baker won the Iowa State Male Athlete of the Year award.
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