Australia’s Aaron Baddeley wound back memories of his victory three years ago with a blistering second round 65 on day two of the Northern Trust Open.

A day after ‘Badds’ struggled when he needed seven putts in a two-hole run and the 2011 Riviera winner muscled his way into a share of second place and needing only seven putts to play his closing six holes.

Australia’s Aaron Baddeley walking tall after moving to a share of second place after two rounds of the Northern Trust Open. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golfbytourmiss.com)

In fact, ‘Badd’s had just 23 putts to be just a stroke behind South Korean Sang-Moon Bae (66) who grabbed the lead at nine-under when darkness halted play.

American Robert Garrigus (67) joins Baddeley at eight-under while last year’s playoff loser and runner-up Charlie Beljan (68) sits fourth with just six players still to complete the round.

‘‘To birdie the last four was extra special. It was a great round. I made a couple good saves early and then coming in I had some good looks and made them,’’ said Baddeley.

Baddeley, who has slumped to 214th on the World Rankings, was playing well in round one until he four-putted the fifth hole, his 14th of the day, for a double bogey and then three-putted the sixth for another dropped shot.

But he had no such problems in round two, needing just 23 putts for the round and statistically gaining over six and a half shots on the field via his putter.

‘‘I putted really nice yesterday except for those two holes so the confidence wasn’t even close to being gone with my putter,’’ he said.

‘‘Seriously I feel like my patience has been really good the last few weeks and I just tried to remain that way, I am not letting much bother me, good or bad.

‘‘I was excited to get back out there today and to finish like that was awesome, I love playing well here.’’

And the triple PGA Tour winner, who last won at Riviera in 2011, is determined to again lift the trophy.

‘‘It feels like it hasn’t been that long but it’s good to be back out there where you have a chance to win,’’ he said.

‘‘I am happy to be second right now but I want to be number one by Sunday.’’

Fellow Aussies Matt Jones couldn’t back up his hot four-under first round, bogeying his final three holes to shoot 73 and drop to two-under overall in a tie for 32nd.

2001 Northern Trust winner Robert Allenby also posted a 69.