Australia's Baddeley takes two-stroke lead over Els in Sony Open
Associated Press
Aaron Baddeley took three years to reach the PGA Tour. He looked like he was in a hurry today to win his first event at the Sony Open.
The 21-year-old Australian quickly built a five-stroke lead over a collection of world-class players and finished with a 5-under 65 to keep a two-stroke lead over Ernie Els entering tomorrow's final round.
Baddeley, who won back-to-back Australian Open titles as a teenager, kept his cool when his swing deserted him down the stretch, making tough par saves on the 15th and 16th holes as the Big Easy was making a run.
Baddeley was at 15-under 195. Els shot a 66-197. Robert Gamez, who hasn't won since his rookie season 12 years ago, had a 65 and joined Chris DiMarco (69) and Briny Baird (67) at 10-under 200.
Els is coming off an eight-stroke victory in the Mercedes Championships, where he set a PGA Tour record at 31-under par. He is trying to become the first player since Steve Jones in 1989 to win the first two tournaments of the year.
Sony Open Leaders
At Waialae Country Club
Purse: $4.5 million
Yardage: 7,060; Par 70
Third Round
Aaron Baddeley 66-64-65195
Ernie Els 66-65-66197
Robert Gamez 66-69-65200
Briny Baird 68-65-67200
Chris DiMarco 65-66-69200
Shigeki Maruyama 66-66-69201
Robert Allenby 68-69-65202
Retief Goosen 64-66-72202
Jeff Sluman 68-68-67203
Joe Durant 67-69-67203
Jerry Kelly 68-68-67203
Corey Pavin 67-68-68203
Tim Petrovic 68-67-68203
Fred Funk 66-68-69203
Harrison Frazar 67-67-69203
Chris Riley 65-69-69203
Peter Lonard 66-65-72203