What Happened To Ian Baker-Finch? | A Short Golf Documentary

[@mitchellblades]

This video took so long to make, especially because there wasn't much footage of Ian, but thank you so much for watching honestly means a lot, if you've got a second I'm taking likes as donations haha, Have a great day!

[@MCJJtracks]

You don't even have to ask, mate! Another great video, I got into golf a year ago so these help me learn some of golf's entertaining history. Hope you have a good day too

[@mitchellblades]

@@MCJJtracks thanks so much 👌🏻

[@andrewbrown8903]

Heart rendering story . I remember him winning the Open . I think we can all learn from this story . " If its not broke then don't try to fix it " Absolute respect to Ian for battling his demons for so long

[@stevedimmock930]

Thanks a lot for making this video too, honestly this is one of the saddest declines in sport, not just golf, because of the impact all the pressure appeard to have on his mental health.

[@sirboxalot3359]

found this while looking for a video of the famous hook at the Open. thank you for putting this together, what a story 😢

[@nathanwilliams2152]

Was that at the 14th at St. Andrews? I also remember him snap-hookojg his tee shot at the first at the Masters, where the ball ended up in the 9th fairway.

[@willybla1]

@@nathanwilliams2152he snap hooked it on #1 tee at St. Andrews in 1995. He was playing with Arnold the first two rounds and it was Arnold’s last Open.

[@aussiegolfer2919]

What a great video , I remember following Ian in a pro am in Melbourne Australia when he started , I was 14 and in awe of him . He was looking at me and wondering who was this kid following me everywhere . He was a champion in my eyes and still to this day 40 years later I am playing because of him and Norman . It was so sad to see how he finished his career at such a young age of 36 . Always a champion to me Ian . Great video guys 👍⛳️

[@philipprice171]

Major winner. That's what all golfers would give their right arms for. You reached the heights that very few will do and experienced the cruel lows. But to be blessed with a loving family all through these times keeps all in context. A new career giving great commentary and informing us the public is terrific. We have more affection for you Peter because of what you've been through. A decent human being is worth more than anything in life. God bless.

[@dannyq29]

Todd Hamilton was another. Shone brightly for a short time... and gave me two complimentary week long passes to the Open at Muirfield in 2013, which I'll never forget. Top man.

[@Orach3n]

This series is super underrated. Thanks for making them, very interesting to learn about golf lore.

[@mitchellblades]

Thanks so much 👌🏻

[@Mikey-wg2xu]

I met IBF several years ago in an airport headed to the British Open (I recognized his voice first). Super nice guy....chatted freely with me and my friend and commiserated with me after my airline lost me clubs. A super announcer too.

[@davidtatro7457]

This is maybe the most touching golf related video l have ever watched, and it actually made me tear up a bit. I had naturally heard that Ian had had a notable rise and fall, but never heard the details before now. All l can say is, what a great guy and his level of natural talent for the game must have been ridiculous considering his roots. It is perhaps a testament to how liked and respected he was that so many greats of the game selflessly tried to help and advise him over the years. It's sad that in taking all that advice, he lost the swing that had actually worked for him. The happy ending here is that he ended up becoming a true great with his secondary talent of announcing and it has probably given he and his family a much happier and more stable life.

[@bjnwright]

I couldn't watch anymore. Too painful. There's been so many Baker-Finches in golf. Guys blessed with beautiful natural swings, who over-think and obfuscate and turn a right-brain game of feel into a left-brain game of thought. In 1984 at the Open Champs when Baker-Finch was 23, he had the best swing in the field, he hit the ball absolutely pure and he had that tournament by the scruff of the neck for 3 rounds before a bad 4th round. Watch that tape on KZbin.

[@arnaudbaudon845]

David Duval had almost the same history ...

[@bjnwright]

@@arnaudbaudon845 I believe Duval actually suffered from a bad case of vertigo, which he never came back from

[@christ2906]

Now that s a decline !! May no one else experience this ! This is was happens that people that are too hard on themselves.

[@PamLudfordFinnerty]

Thanks for the great documentary. A story of courage and persistence, I can't imagine having to overcome challenges with everybody watching. IBF, I'm happy you landed in a good place. I have enjoyed your career and golf commentary.

[@brucekristich4073]

class video...just a great piece mate!

[@mitchellblades]

Thank you!

[@noonespecial8891]

That's a really well made video and well told story.

[@scottcampbell1377xanadu]

Saw him win at The Lakes in Sydney in 1984, daylight was second ! Great putter too.

[@gileshyland2573]

His performance in the final round of the 91 Open was imperious. A worthy major winner.

[@salfordnick5336]

It was, was a steward that year on the 16th....was a brilliant player. Shows when the mind has gone it's gone, plus the press are vultures

[@geoffreyclark2805]

Nicely done Mitchell wonderful narration.

[@trulymeparker]

Baker-Finch was one of the best clutch putters I've ever seen. I remember seeing him at The Vines in 93 and he holed a 35 ft on the 14th and the applause went for 2 mins solid

[@tobyrichardson1837]

IBF is still a legend. Not many can win the Open! He was probably one of the greatest putters ever. He always seemed to be draining 30 footers in Australian tournaments. I never realised how sad it got for him during his loss of form. Now an outstanding commentator.

[@oliverizzard8751]

Reminds me of my first "grand prix" tournament in France in my early 20s. I had a handicap of 5, Never played in a 'real' tournament before. I duffed my drive 20 yards with only 10 people watching (10 more than i'd ever had) chunked the following few shots and 3 putted for a 10. Had a triple and a double the next 2 holes. It was like completely learning to play golf all over again. Psychology is a strange thing ...

[@andrefecteau]

Elvis said he had stage fright every night....Tiger has like a double bogey average on the 1st hole..it's the craziest game ever

[@andrewfinlayson1507]

I would disagree with the narrator in one respect. I dont think IBF ever really lost his swing ... he just couldnt repeat it in tournament play. I went to some event in Brisbane back in 1996 or so .... when IBF was commentating, and not playing. He was on the practice range prior to the day's play, just hitting 7 irons. I watched this guy hit perfect 7 iron after perfect 7 iron. There was a range marker out there at 150 or so, and I saw him hit this thing on the fly 4 or 5 times in a row. He was hitting the ball significantly better than anyone else on the range ..... but he could not do it in tournament play. Paralysis by analysis.

[@guywood1467]

Great video, really interesting... feel bad for the guy.

[@EagleFlight1001]

Sickening that this happened to such a nice guy. But happy that broadcasting has worked out for him. Golf is a brutal game sometimes.

[@treewx]

this is great. thanks

[@dazril1234]

Great video! Would love to know what Ian thinks of it. A major champion and fantastic commentator. A big success story.

[@yolhanson]

I recall this very well, being an Australian and keen on golf. Sometimes, you get your one shot. Didn't Sergio Garcia play about 70 majors before winning the Masters? Plenty of one-major winners out there, and many millions who are never given the chance. In all sports. I thought (we all did) that IBF would come back. He did, just in a different career.

[@mattbrooking2146]

I have a set of Daiwa clubs! Always remember Ian playing but don’t remember this horror story 😱

[@mitchellblades]

It’s one of golfs finest unfortunately

[@dancollier3523]

Awesome stuff brother

[@bretts4544]

One of the greatest swings of all time

[@part1801]

What a man and he would definitely dust 98% of the golfers out there in the general public

[@kelvinjolley6264]

He had a fantastic swing at his peak,a brilliant player.

[@lindsaybrougham4005]

Wonderful video.

[@OfficialLeonHowardII]

Great video Mitchell

[@mitchellblades]

Thanks so much Leon 👌🏻

[@kanepillers8981]

Mate you make fantastic, fascinating videos. Another sad tale to add to the annals of pro golfers whose game fell apart when they went chasing distance. I really believe shorter players should just play to their strengths - accuracy off the tee and, if you have to hit longer irons into the green, just get really good at those irons.

[@Multijoe84]

One of the reasons why I’m not sure I believe in God. Why bad things happen to good people like him. Life’s unfair.

[@petermcgill1315]

A gentleman. And an Open Championship winner.

[@davidbarnard1409]

What happened to Ian proves nice guys don't become greats. If the press tells you Arnie , or Rory or Jack are nice guys .... They are saying they don't know who they really are.

[@MrMeadfoot]

He wasn't really huge odds when he won The Open, he was 40/1. I know this cause I backed him a tenner each way, happy days !

[@craciunator99]

Poor dude, the press love a fall from grace.

[@jadesmith6823]

His golf has now improved 😅😳😂🤣

[@gaoxinglangblog]

he won an open championship that is all that matters

[@williamgullett5911]

His putting was so bad, especially from inside 5 feet, that I started calling him Ian Baker Flinch

[@truthlifefishing1730]

If IBF thinks he has suffered embarrassment then once again he has failed. No one laughed at him or ridiculed him or took pleasure from his pain. So spare me the violins and hold my beer.

[@BengaliJoddha]

His heart ruled over his mind.. Case closed.

[@jadesmith6823]

Chopper 🙏🙌

[@henrycussell5481]

well Mitchell I think you missed quite a bit 3/10

[@truthlifefishing1730]

he started wearing glasses suddenly.

[@bigeyetuna6228]

A decent man with a nasty hook…

[@jadesmith6823]

Most overrated Australian golfer in history.

[@gavwa08]

Won an Open Championship. I don't remember the year you won it?

[@andrewbaverstock2672]

Loser