It was not the Sunday Aaron Baddeley was hoping for but the Victorian can take comfort from the fact that his tie for second at the Puerto Rico Open will secure him a start at this week’s Honda Classic.

Without full status in 2019, Baddeley’s only avenues to PGA TOUR starts this year is by invitation or playing well and his second top-five of the season earns him a place in the field at PGA National, taking away some of the sting of an even-par round of 72 after leading through 54 holes.

Three bogeys in the space of four holes on the front nine took the wind out of Baddeley’s tournament charge before birdies at 15 and 18 delivered his best PGA TOUR finish since his win at the Barbasol Championship in 2016, three shots behind rookie winner Martin Trainer.

“I feel like overall my game’s in a really good spot,” Baddeley said after the third round at Coco Beach Golf and Country Club.

“Got off to a really nice start (at the Safeway Open) and been hitting the ball really quite well.”

It was a positive week also for Cameron Davis whose tie for 16th is his best result of the year with Curtis Luck’s tie for 25th also a season best for the West Australian.