Baddeley creeps closer at Visa Taiheiyo
BY Bruce Young | Japan Tour | 2002 Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters | Round Three | 16 Nov 2002
Perhaps spurrred on by the memories of his first professional event here two years ago and that he has a achieved a significant goal of late, Aaron Baddeley is now within striking distance of his first win since February of 2001.
Baddeley now has the security of a USPGA Tour card to his name and the confidence that has no doubt installed in him, after so many doubted his method of going about it, is seeing him rise to even greater heights.
He now stands in third place just three behind veteran Tommy Nakajima as the final round tomorrow looms and a payday of some $A460,000 awaits him if he is able to achieve such a victory. Between he and the leader is the highly talented Hidemichi Tanaka.
Second round leader Brendan Jones slipped today with a 73 to now share seventh place with Justin Rose with Charles Howell 111 one shot further back.
David Smail and Scott Laycock are in 21st spot at 5 under with Anthony Gilligan 28th and Richard Backwell 53th.
As I suggested earlier in the week when previewing the event, this week is already proving a yardstick to the progress Baddeley has made since turning pro and tomorrow might just cap it off.
