Festival ace Baker on top

Former Ryder Cup star Peter Baker simply loves the West Country and made a firm bid to win the inaugural North Devon Links Festival with a bogey-free return of seven-under-par 65 in the opening round of the 54-hole event at Royal North Devon.

Baker from South Staffs, who turned 50 on Saturday, is chasing a Festival double as he won the Cornish Festival which opened the West season again this year.

He held a two-shot advantage over Newquay’s Chris Gill and regular Festival visitor Chris Gane (Left Hander Golf at Silvermere) who birdied the first three holes.

Gill was the leading West player after four of his six birdies in a four-under 32 back nine as the three-day event moved to Saunton for the final two days.

Daniel Field (East Herts) with six. birdies and Matt Cort (Beedle Lakes) with five share fourth on 68 while Plymouth-based Scott Drummond a further shot behind in sixth