Aaron Baddeley is eyeing last-ditch qualification for next month's US PGA Championship after matching Ian Baker-Finch's magical British Open round of 64 at Royal Birkdale.
Baddeley's six-under-par effort on Sunday earned the 37-year-old his best-ever Open finish, a tie for 27th after six missed cuts from his previous seven attempts.
The dual Australian Open winner admits he was hoping to equal Branden Grace's major championship-record 62, that the South African shot on Saturday, when he lined up a 10-metre eagle putt attempt on the 17th.
"I gave it a run," Baddeley said.
"But it was nice to hole the 10-footer coming back."
Baddeley then scrambled for par on the last to equal Baker-Finch's 64 in 1991 when his countryman raised the Claret Jug with the lowest-ever winning total at Birkdale.
"I was thinking 63. I was trying to chip it in for 63," he said.
"I knew Ian shot a low one but I didn't know it was 64. I played beautifully. I don't think I could hit my irons much better."
Baddeley reeled off eight birdies on the demanding Southport links layout to post easily his finest performance in 20 rounds at golf's oldest and greatest event since his debut at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2001.
After opening with a 69 on Thursday, he also posted two rounds in the 60s for the first time after missing the cut in his first six Open appearances.
At one-over 281 for the championship, Baddeley finished in a tie for 27th, easily trumping his equal 69th at Lytham in 2012.
Baddeley, who missed the cut last time he played at Birkdale in 2008, says his brilliant round provides much-needed momentum heading into next week's Barracuda Championship in Nevada.
Only a victory will earn him a start at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.
"If I can win my next start at Rino, then I'll get in for sure. That's the plan," he said.
Sitting just outside the top 125 in the FedEx Cup standings, his big Open finish also provides valuable points in his bid to make the rich season-ending playoffs in America.
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