AARON BADDELEY INTERVIEW (2013)

In late 1999 Aaron Baddeley surprised Australian golf when the then relatively unknown amateur won the biggest prize in Australian golf – the Australian Open title at Royal Sydney.

It was the first time since 1960 when then also amateur Bruce Devlin was handed the gleaming Stonehaven Trophy.

A year later Baddedly, and now a rookie professional, again defied all the odds to successfully the defend the title at the Kingston Heath club in Melbourne.

What odds anyone winning a national open title first as an amateur and a year later as a professional?

www.golfbytourmiss.com was present at both the 1999 Australian Open and also again in 2000, and we sat down with ‘Badds’ ahead of the 2013 Australian Open to reflect on those two glorious years in his golfing career.

Firstly, great to catch-up with you and also thank you, as always,  for giving us your time.  When did you get back to Australia?

“Got back Friday morning from hosting my junior event in China,” he said.

“Even after a long season, I’ve still got plenty of energy left for this week as I’ve had a couple of weeks off and actually feel pretty good and I am looking forward to this week.

“I’ve also lost about 9 lbs in weight and that’s good too and that’s not from a diet and more to do with the fact I have been working pretty hard in the gym”.

Can you believe it’s 14 years since you won here at Royal Sydney in 1999?

“It’s pretty amazing that it was 14 years ago and it’s just flown by. 

“Even just walking around the golf course today I still remember vividly so many of the shots I played in winning the 1999 Australian Open here at Royal Sydney.

“It’s always very special going back to a place where you have won before but coming back here to Royal Sydney is extra special and it always will be.

“I played in the ’06 Australian Open when Sendo (John Senden) won but didn’t play here in ’08 as my daughter, Jewel had been born that week”,

Aaron Baddeley with 1999 Australian Open trophy and with his parents in the background.

Looking back, who was also in contention that week?

“There was a bunch of players in contention that week including Nick O’Hern and Greg (Norman), who both finished second, Monty (Colin Montgomerie) who I played with over the final round while (Geoff) Ogilvy was up there so too was Cambo (Michael Campbell) and there was Paul McGinley who had a good last day.

“I had played with Cambo the first three days.

“Dion and I were listening all week to a group called Taxi Ride and that was written about a lot in all the newspapers so it was a very special week”.

Dion then became your coach.  Do you still work with him?

“He and I worked together for about six months this year to October but then it was a little difficutl with the distance with him being in Australian so that didn’t work out and I also then wasn’t playing all that well but then I did make some improvements with him but then didn’t see it on the score board.

“I working now with Grant Waite and Chris Commo.  He and Grant both work together in Dallas and he’s also a biomechanics specialist,” he said.

“I have adopted the approach rather than trying to understand it all I am just trying to understand what works best for me, and just what I need to do to play good.

“I’ve made a couple of little changes, only small changes but major in the sense that they’ve made a big difference.”

Also looking back on the 1999 Australian Open.  What did you do well that week?

“When I look back on my win here in 1999 I remember hitting the ball well but I putting really well.

“I remember on the second day I holed about a 20-footer on the third and Cambo came over to me and took my putter and staring rubbing the head of his putter against mine hoping that some of my magic would rub off on his putter (smiling).

“Then coming down the stretch on Sunday I hit a lot of good quality shots especially at 16, 17 and 18.

“So it was big week for me emotionally and career-wise but then I didn’t realise how big it was at the time as the goal that week was just to play well,” he said.

“I thought it would be great if I could win but then didn’t realise how big the win actually was”.

And then to go to Kingston Heath as a professional and retain your title.

“That was pretty special too and in Melbourne also and at Kingston Heath in front of all my fans, friends and family.”

What reminders do you still have from your Australian Open victories?

“I’ve still got the winners medallions.”

Do you still have the beaten-up and dented Scotty Cameron putter you used that week?

“Yes, I’ve still got the Scotty Cameron I used to win both Australian Opens and while I am using a newer putter, that Scotty Cameron is home safe in the garage.”

How is your game now?

“I really like where I am at with my game and working with Grant now I feel we have a really good plan.

“I am excited taking the road ahead and I’ve seen some really good improvements with Grant while my statistics have improved, and so much as I’m already very excited about the 2014 season.”

How would you assess your 2013 season? 

“It’s been definitely a struggle and I haven’t hit the ball as good as I would have liked.

“All my stats are down and it’s only been my short game and putting that has been good.

“If I had to pick out a highlight then that would be the CIMB Classic in Malaysia and finishing ninth in the Canadian Open and if you look back on my last round there, you would be saying how could you shoot five under that last day?

“It’s not that it was a tough course but more like where I hit and where I had to get myself from to record five under but the way I just hung in there was the real highlight of my year.

“So like I said, working with Grant now I feel like I have some answers and that’s got me really excited for next year.”

Is still must be special coming home to compete in an Australian Open?

“Competing in an Australian Open as a former double Australian Open winner makes it so special to come home and compete again in an Australian Open.

“I know that Gary Player has the record of six Australian Opens so I better start winning more if I am going to match his record.

“The course hasn’t changed that much and the routing is still the same but then the par fives a bit longer than they were 14 years ago.

“Some of the greens have been changed as there is a lot more slopes to them but walking around the course as I have done so far this week, I still enjoy walking the golf course.

“I believed that week I could win the Australian Open and it was not a case of saying:  ‘Oh, I can’t believe I’ve won the Australian Open as it was never a case like that’.

“I have been telling Antman a few stories of the shots I played that week playing alongside Monty and it’s just amazing how I can remember so much from that week.

“Also Antman won here in 2008 caddying for Tim Clark so we have both had victories and it would be nice if we could have a win together this week.”

Thanks for your time Bads, as it’s always great chatting with you.