Ten years on from his dramatic Phoenix Open victory, Australian golfer Aaron Baddeley still feels the good vibes going into his hometown US PGA Tour event.
The Phoenix Open returns to TPC Scottsdale on Thursday with world No.5 Hideki Matsuyama as the defending champion.
Other stars in the field include world No.6 Jordan Spieth, No.8 Justin Thomas, No.9 Patrick Reed, three-time Phoenix Open winner Phil Mickelson and last week's Farmers Insurance Open champion Jon Rahm.
A Scottsdale resident for the past 17 years, 36-year-old Baddeley says he'll draw inspiration this week from his thrilling finish in 2007 - when the Victorian birdied three of the final four holes to steal a one-shot victory.
"Going somewhere you've won gives you a certain confidence without even teeing a ball up," said Baddeley.
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"I still get those same good vibes when I walk out onto TPC Scottsdale; I have the car spot that says, '2007 champion'."
The 2007 Phoenix triumph was Baddeley's second victory on the US PGA Tour after leaving Australia with enormous hype from winning two consecutive Australian Opens, the first as a teenaged amateur.
"The (Phoenix) win was really special because I wanted to win in my adopted home town. I had more than 100 of my family and friends cheering me on in the gallery," said Baddeley.
"It propelled me to a huge year. I had seven top 10s, led the US Open and made it to the top 20 in the world rankings."
Baddeley returned to the US PGA Tour winner's circle at the Barbasol Championship in July last year, his first victory since 2011.
After suffering through periods of poor form due to considerable swing changes, Baddeley credits part of his resurgence to the two coaches he's hired - fellow Australian Adam Scott's teacher, Brad Malone, and swing instructor Scott Hamilton.
"I feel like my game is right there; it's building towards a win and I feel it's nor far away," said Baddeley.
"Scott has focussed on my posture, and Brad has been working on my release of the golf club. Those two things have got me hitting the ball really well."
Other Australians in the field include Marc Leishman - who last week lost a share of the final-round lead at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines - as well as Rod Pampling, Geoff Ogilvy, Greg Chalmers, Steven Bowditch and Arizona resident Matt Jones.
Youngster Cameron Smith and Cameron Percy are alternates.
