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 66-64-65—195

Ernie Els 66-65-66—197

Robert Gamez 66-69-65—200

Briny Baird 68-65-67—200

Chris DiMarco 65-66-69—200

Shigeki Maruyama 66-66-69—201

Robert Allenby 68-69-65—202

Retief Goosen 64-66-72—202

Jeff Sluman 68-68-67—203

Joe Durant 67-69-67—203

Jerry Kelly 68-68-67—203

Corey Pavin 67-68-68—203

Tim Petrovic 68-67-68—203

Fred Funk 66-68-69—203

Harrison Frazar 67-67-69—203

Chris Riley 65-69-69—203

Peter Lonard 66-65-72—203