Defending champion Aaron Baddeley made a big move to close on joint leaders Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley in the third round of the US PGA Tour event at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles.
Following up from last week’s win at Pebble Beach, four-time major champion Mickelson is in a great position to triumph again after a one-under-par 70 on Saturday left him sharing a one stroke lead with reigning US PGA champion Bradley who fired a 66.
Fellow Americans Bryce Molder (66), Jonathan Byrd (69) and Pat Perez (70) are tied third just a shot behind.
But Australian Baddeley is refusing to give up his title without a fight, firing a 66 to move to five under, just two shots back in a tie for sixth with Dustin Johnson (67) and Bill Haas (68).
Baddeley had his game firing on all cylinders on moving day, making seven birdies against two bogeys as he chased down the leaders, moving up 22 places.
The Victorian opened by rolling in a 14-foot birdie on the first hole and stumbled a little with a bogey on the fourth before really hitting his groove.
Baddeley jammed a 19-foot birdie in on the eighth, made a nice two-putt birdie on the par five 11th from 50 feet and then moved up the leaderboard with a 10-footer on the 12th.
Sand trouble led to a dropped shot on the 15th hole but the 30-year-old responded in terrific fashion, closing out with birdies on each of his final three holes.
He drained a brilliant 34-foot putt on the 16th, was able to tap in on the 17th after a clever pitch and then hit a stunning approach into 18 to just two feet to take momentum into the final round.
“Starting today I knew I had to have a good day,” Baddeley said.
“I had to shoot four, five or six under today to give myself a realistic chance.
“So it was pleasing to play really nicely all day, especially finishing off like I did.”
Countrymen Jarrod Lyle (71) and Marc Leishman (71) remain in contention at four and three under par respectively.
Lyle is in a tie for ninth and Leishman is tied 11th as both search for a maiden US Tour win.
Adam Scott shot a 69, but at even par for the week he’ll need a stunning final round to be a factor. John Senden (+2) and Jason Day (+6) will need miracles to contend.
