Coming within a whisker of victory last week gives Aaron Baddeley the chance to keep the momentum going when the PGA TOUR heads to Mexico this week for the OHL Classic.
Coming within a whisker of victory last week gives Aaron Baddeley the chance to keep the momentum going when the PGA TOUR heads to Mexico this week for the OHL Classic.
With limited status this year Baddeley’s top five performance in Mississippi earns him a crucial start this week, an opportunity he needs to make the most of if he is to get back to the main Tour full time.
There was much to like about the Victorian’s game last week with three of his four rounds in the 60’s under difficult conditions courtesy of constant delays in play.
Two previous appearances at this week’s venue, Mayakoba, have yielded a missed cut and a mid field finish but with confidence on his side expect that to improve this week.
An opening 66 at the course last year proves he can go low and while he fell off the pace in 2014/15 four rounds in the 60’s this time around would go a long way towards achieving his main goal.
Baddeley is one of six Australians making the journey to Mexico, joined by Stuart Appleby, Rod Pampling, Geoff Ogilvy, Robert Allenby and Rhein Gibson.
Appleby tees up for the third time this season having taken last week off and with a missed cut and a tail of the field finish to show for his efforts so far will be keen to produce some better form.
The nine time Tour winner has 18 events left on a major medical extension after undergoing back surgery earlier this year and needs to make almost $600,000 to earn back full status.
Two visits to this tournament have yielded a missed cut and a withdrawal but with everything to play for it would be a surprise if the veteran Victorian didn’t make a better showing this week.
Another veteran needing some better form this week is Robert Allenby who has used his career money list exemption to tee up in 2015/16.
Three missed cuts to start the year is hardly what he was looking for but having finished runner-up after a play-off at this tournament in 2012 he at least has some good memories of the venue.
Rod Pampling plays the tournament for just the second time having finished T63 in 2011 while Geoff Ogilvy and rookie Rhein Gibson each make their first appearance.
Like Allenby, Ogilvy has made a slow start to the season with two missed cuts in two starts while Gibson continues to find his feet in his debut year and is yet to play the weekend after three starts.