By Ben Everill
LA JOLLA, California, Jan 30 AAP - Golf is fun again for Aaron Baddeley and a new relaxed approach has helped him secure an outside chance for US PGA Tour victory at Torrey Pines.
For years the former teenage phenomenon has tinkered and ground his way around the golf swing, always in search of perfection.
But a new mindset of simplicity and fun is paying dividends as three-time US Tour winner Baddeley attempts to earn his tour card back.
The 34-year-old Australian made a third round push in the Farmers Insurance Open with a tidy three-under-69 to move to five-under, moving him up 21 spots into a tie for 17th, four shots off the lead.
"It's still there to be won absolutely. The confidence is growing so that's exciting," Baddeley said.
American Scott Brown (70) and South Korea's eight-time US tour winner K.J. Choi (72) forged their way into the lead at nine-under-207.
Five-time winner Jimmy Walker (68), and two-time winner Gary Woodland (73) were a shot off the pace at eight-under with Jonas Blixt (66), Michael Kim (70), John Huh (71) and Freddie Jacobson (71) in a tie for fifth at seven-under.
With rain and high winds forecast for Sunday's final round, the tough south course could bring carnage if tour officials continue with difficult pin placements.
Baddeley though was not fazed, taking dead aim at pins instead of over-thinking things.
"Today was a good day to get a good score in because we know the weather is coming," Baddeley said. "If we are in shouting distance then you never know.
"Golf is fun again. I won't go practice now. I used to go grind on the range, try to figure something out, or maintain it, but now without the grind my energy levels are better.
"It is great. I am playing golf again, not trying to figure it out.
"Today I drove it beautifully and you have to around here. It's becoming normal now to just stand up there and hit quality shots.
"I can stand with confidence and just hit it straight as opposed to trying to hit a big fade or cut in there.
"The two words this week are trust and commit."
The three-time tour winner is playing tour tour on past champion status only, fighting to earn a full card after a poor 2014-15 season.
But the Victorian has so far made the most of his limited starts, already ranked 85th on the FedEx Cup points list in the race to stay in the top 125.
It was a tough day at the office for the remaining Australians.
Matt Jones and 17-year-old pro debutant Ryan Ruffels battled to rounds of 74 leaving them one over and 10 shots off the pace.
John Senden shot 75 to drop to two-over.
Share
