Feb5 BaddelywinsFBR
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Aaron Baddeley hopes his second PGA Tour victory is the start of something big, maybe even Major.
“I want to be the best,” he said.
Tiger Woods has nothing to worry about for now, Baddeley conceded, but a one-stroke victory Sunday in the FBR Open had the 26-year-old Australian talking about bigger titles.
“I want to win Major championships. I mean, that’s where I want to go,” Baddeley said. “It’s a long way to go yet, I know that, a lot of hard work to be put in. But I’m definitely setting my sights on that.”
Baddeley birdied three of the final four holes and took advantage of Jeff Quinney’s late collapse to pick up his second win on tour. Baddeley, who also has U.S. citizenship, won the Verizon Heritage last year.
It was a dramatic late turnaround for two golfers who are virtually neighbors in north Scottsdale.
Baddeley trailed Quinney by three shots with four holes to go but birdied the 15th and 17th.
“I’m sure Jeff is disappointed with the way he finished, but I was just trying to put pressure on him towards the end,” Baddeley said. “When I got three back, I was really just thinking if I can be one back playing the last hole, I’ve got a chance.”
As it turned out, he was up one with one hole to go.
Baddeley shot his second consecutive 7-under 64 to finish at 21-under 196. John Rollins tied the best round of the week at 63 and was second at 20 under, one shot ahead of Quinney (68). Bart Bryant was 18 under and Billy Mayfair followed at 17 under.
Divots: Bubba Watson was booed roundly on the notoriously rowdy 16th hole after missing the green. He responded by waving to the crowd with both hands, then running along the stands throwing golf visors to the fans. … Next year’s FBR Open also will end on a Sunday, even with the Super Bowl just down the road in Glendale. Tournament officials decided not to reschedule for a Saturday final round, something they did when the Super Bowl was in Tempe in 1996.
PICTURE: Aaron Baddeley acknowledges the crowd after he eagled the third hole during the final round of the FBR Open golf tournament Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007, at the TPC in Scottsdale, Ariz.
By Matt York, Associated Press
