LAURIE Canter’s role as bridesmaid at the Asbri Golf Cornish Festival continued as he just failed for the third successive year to win the annual £20,000 tournament, writes PETER GODSIFF.

The 27-year-old player, from the Cumberwell Park club near Bradford on Avon, was third in 2015 and has since been runner-up to two Ryder Cup players.

Last year Paul Broadhurst went on to win the British Seniors Championship. This year Peter Baker, from South Staffordshire, joins the Seniors Tour in October.

Baker’s wire-to-wire two-stroke victory followed a superb third round seven-under-par 65 at Trevose. Canter matched his final day score after starting with four under 68 at Carlyon Bay and two-under 67 at St Enodoc.

Baker said: “I was able to make three birdies over the last five holes to stay ahead.

"I was very aware of Laurie’s challenge as he played just in front of me in the last round. I knew he was going to have a good day so I felt I needed to get as many shots under par as possible to give myself a cushion.”

When the impressive Canter made his fourth birdie in six holes at the 15th he was only one behind.

The pair’s 54-hole scores were almost identical. Baker returned 15-under-par 198 with Canter two shots behind. Canter made 36 pars, 14 birdies, one eagle and three bogeys. The difference was Baker’s second eagle. It was that close.

Canter, who regained his European Tour card for this season through Tour School, said: “It was good fun and I played really well. I thought I would have a chance with 65 on the last day but Peter is a great player and he is going to do well on the Seniors Tour.”

Canter used a new set of irons and another putter in Cornwall as he prepares for his next European Tour event in Portugal next month.

He is seventh on the list of Tour School graduates and hopes to retain a high position when the re-rank is made after the Austrian Open in June to get into later big-money events.

He said: “I have been playing really nicely this year with a couple of top twenties. I hope to retain my card this year and could qualify to play in 25 events.”

Consolation was the success of his team who completed a hat-trick of victories. Somerset county player Johnny Grace (Bath), and Letchworth pair Andy Carter and Richard Howell helped Canter return home with a total of £2,450.

Their remarkable returns of 82, a sensational 91 at St Enodoc where Carter went round in par 69 off a handicap of eight, and 89 for 45-under-par 262 at Trevose brought a six-shot win.