ALBANY, GA. February 5, 2007 – MacGregor Golf staff professional Aaron Baddeley has continued to show why he is one of the brightest young stars on the PGA Tour by completing a masterful charge on the weekend by firing back-to-back 64’s to win the FBR Phoenix Open.
"We are so proud of Aaron and his continued growth as a player and a person," said MacGregor CEO Barry Schneider. "Much like Aaron, we expect great things out of our touring professionals just like they expect great things out of their equipment. We are committed to putting the best equipment in the hands of the best players."
Aaron started off the week with a solid 65 on Thursday. While his long game was not up to par, Aaron was able to rely on his precision wedge game and putting to keep him in the hunt. At one point during the first round, Aaron had strung together nine straight one-putts, ending up with a total of 20. Always known as a good putter, his 20 putt total on Thursday was the talk of the tents at the Phoenix Open and after following up his 65 with a very respectable 70 on Friday, Aaron went into the weekend in position to make a move on Saturday.
Aaron succeeded in climbing the leaderboard on Saturday by combining his precise putting with outstanding ball-striking to produce a bogey-free round of 64. Hitting nearly 80% of the greens in regulation with his MacGregor M675 Irons and, when missing a green, hitting it close from the bunkers or rough with his MacGregor Forged Wedges, Aaron put himself in position to utilize his masterful putting. Twenty-six putts later and Aaron was two shots behind the leader, Jeff Quinney, and found himself in the final group on Sunday.
Relying on his experience in winning the 2006 Verizon Heritage Classic at Harbor Town, Aaron entered the final round poised to make a charge for the lead and win his second career PGA Tour title. However, Aaron understood that it was going to take more than pars to win on a course that has a history of yielding a bevy of birdies. And like all great players, he answered the call. On his third hole of the day, Aaron combined his expert ball-striking with his precise short-game and played the hole to perfection, making eagle and putting the pressure on Quinney. However, Quinney answered with a few birdies of his own and by the end of front nine, Aaron found himself three strokes back and in need of a strong finish if he was to come away victorious. Having confidence in himself and his MacGregor equipment, Aaron continued to knock it close to the pin and birdied four out of his last six holes, including three out of his last four, to take his second PGA Tour title and vault up the Fed Ex Cup Standings.
About MacGregor Golf
Albany, Georgia-based MacGregor Golf, one of the oldest golf companies in the world, has a storied 109-year history filled with innovation and PGA Tour success including a record 59 Majors. MacGregor Golf uses the world’s most advanced technologies to create golf equipment that makes the game easier and more fun for all golfers. MACTEC drivers, fairway woods, hybrid utility woods, irons, wedges and Bobby GraceT putters are marketed under the MacGregor brand. Along with its apparel line Greg Norman Collection (GNC), MacGregor Golf offers a full line of high performance outerwear, featuring lightweight, soft, and quiet jackets and pants with 100% waterproof protection are marketed globally under the Tourney brand.
About Greg Norman Collection
Built upon a unique combination of performance, luxury and style, Greg Norman Collection, a subsidiary of MacGregor Golf Company, is a leading worldwide marketer of golf-inspired sportswear for men and women, influenced by one of the world’s leading golf professionals.
Contact:
Rob Johnson at MacGregor Golf
(760) 470-2642
rjohnson@macgregorgolf.com
Dennis Blake at The Blake and Bosworth Group
(860) 878-5586
dblake@blakeandbosworth.com