The Golf Watch

Baddeley wins first Mastercard Masters on fourth playoff hole

Two weeks ago, Aaron Baddeley told Fox Sports that the two tournaments he hoped to win this upcoming season were the Masters and Australian Open.  One of those wishes came true yesterday, when Baddeley won the Mastercard Masters in Australia for the first time.  Baddeley trailed Daniel Chopra by two strokes with two holes remaining in the tournament.  But after a Baddeley birdie and Chopra bogey on the 17th, they went to a playoff.  Baddeley won on the fourth playoff hole with a par, making it the first time since 2001 that the Aussie has won on home soil.  "It’s been a really great year," said Baddeley, who will play in the Australian Open next month, a tournament that he has won twice.   

After a strong year, Baddeley looks ahead to '08

Despite his poor finish at the U.S. Open and what Leonard Shapiro of The Washington Post labeled "Choke of the Year," Aaron Baddeley is coming off his strongest year on the PGA Tour, finishing 6th overall in the FedEx Cup standings, earning over 3 million dollars.  It seems that Baddeley has found his niche on tour, showing the world that he is one of the best players in the game.  Baddeley had thirteen top-25 finishes in '07, including a win at the raucous FBR Open and a second place finish at the BMW Championship.  The 2-time winner told Fox Sports that he is optimistic about the 2008 season and hopes to win the upcoming Masters and Australian Open.  Much of the talk surrounding Baddeley has been about his swing, the Stack & Tilt, which according to him, keeps getting better and better.  He plans to play 22 events next year.   

Baddeley: I didn't lose the golf tournament, Tiger won it

Earlier this year, Aaron Baddeley faltered in the final round of the US Open against Tiger Woods, shooting a 10-over  80.  At the BMW Championship, Baddeley lost to Woods again, but this time, fired a 6-under 65, losing to the world's number one golfer by two strokes.  "I mean, I feel like I played nice all week.  I really did," said Baddeley to Adam Barr of The Golf Channel.  "I’m disappointed I didn’t win, obviously.  I really felt like I was playing well enough to win.  But, like I said, I didn’t lose the golf tournament, Tiger won it."  Baddeley finished in second place and moved up to sixth in the FedEx Cup standings. 

Baddeley, Stricker lead after third round

Aaron Baddeley was able to hold on to his lead at the BMW Championship on Saturday, but now has company.  Baddeley improved on his overall score of 9-under-par with a 6-under 65.  But Steve Stricker, who is ranked second in the FedEx Cup standings, fired a 7-under 64, tying him for the lead.  "It was unbelievable, really," said Stricker to Mark Rolfing of NBC.  "I had a lot of good opportunities today.  I hit the ball solidly, drove it in play again in the fairway, and gave myself a lot of opportunities for birdies."   Tiger Woods trails by one stroke. 

Byrd, Baddeley lead after round two

Jonathan Byrd continued his stellar play at the BMW Championship, shooting a 2-under 69, giving him a tie for the lead with Aaron Baddeley.  Byrd won earlier this year at the John Deere Classic and will try and win his second event of the season this week.  "My day was going pretty good out there…I kept telling myself keep giving yourself opportunites, you’re going to finish strong," said Byrd to Adam Barr of The Golf Channel.  As for Baddeley, he has finished in the top-25 in the first two FedEx Cup events, and could easily sneak into the top-10 with another strong finish this week. 

Baddeley, Beem, Weir lead after second round

Aaron Baddeley, Rich Beem, and Mike Weir lead after the second round of the Deutsche Bank Championship at 9-under-par.  Baddeley and Beem both fired rounds of 5-under 66, while Weir continued his stellar play from Friday with a 3-under 68.  Nine players are within two strokes of the lead, including Phil Mickelson and Rory Sabbatini.  The leaders tee off at 1:45 p.m. ET.

Faldo and McCord criticize Stack and Tilt

During The Golf Channel's first round coverage of The Barclays, commentators Nick Faldo and Gary McCord analyzed Aaron Baddeley's swing during a feature called "Live Lesson" presented by Cialis.  After analyzing Baddeley's swing, Faldo and McCord critized the Stack and Tilt method that Aaron Baddeley and several other PGA Tour pros are using.  "You’ve got so many opposites going on, I’m not sure I’m a fan at the moment," said Faldo.  McCord added, "You know, I’ve messed around with this, none of those guys actually tilt towards the target, not one of their players.  They say they do that, but none of them do it." 

Rosaforte: Baddeley is the ultimate optimist

Tim Rosaforte of Golf World Magazine talked to third round leader Aaron Baddeley, after he shot a disappointing 10-over 80 to finish T-13 at the US Open.  Rosaforte said on The Golf Channel, “In talking to him (Baddeley) afterward, he’s the ultimate optimist…I get the sense that this is a kid that’s not going to go away…Unfortunately, or fortunately, it’s just part of the game.  We see it all the time and that’s what Aaron Baddeley experienced today.  But as he said when he left the clubhouse tonight, ‘I’ll be back.’  And I’m certain he will be."

Baddeley says he will embrace opportunity

Aaron Baddeley, who holds the third round lead at the US Open by two strokes over Tiger Woods, said that he will embrace the opportunity of winning his first major championship. "Tomorrow, obviously I’m going to deal with some emotions because I’ve never been in this position before.  But, I mean, I play golf. I’ve worked my whole life to be in this position.  So, I’m going to embrace it.  I’m going to enjoy it," said the 26-year-old, who has won two PGA Tour events along with two Australian Opens.  "I feel that if I play well and I play my game, I feel that there’s a good chance that coming down the last hole I’ll have a lead."  Peter Oosterhuis said on The Golf Channel, "I think he is a cool customer.  I think he can handle the lead…I don’t think we should underestimate Aaron Baddeley tomorrow."  When asked about playing in the final group with Tiger Woods, Baddeley said, "I’m very comfortable playing with Tiger in a major…I just enjoy playing with the guys that are best at what they do."

Baddeley takes lead with 'radical new swing'

Aaron Baddeley shot an even-par 70 at Oakmont today to take a two shot lead at 2-over-par over the world's number one golfer, Tiger Woods.  Baddeley, who has won two PGA Tour events and is currently 24th in the world golf ranking, is only 26 years old and is seeking his first major championship.  In the June 2007 edition of Golf Digest, Baddeley's swing was featured as the 'radical new swing.'  It is called the "Stack and Tilt Swing," and the key is to keep the body's weight on the left side throughout the swing. Andy Plummer and Mike Bennett's teaching has guided the Aussie to two wins, including this year at the FBR Open.