Schedule Browser

Tour

Season

Qualifying Schools
Fantasy Race To Dubai
European Tour TV
Feedback
Radio News & Player Interviews
Equipment
MasterCard Masters
Huntingdale GC
Melbourne, Australia

22 Nov 2007 - 25 Nov 2007
  • Baddeley Beats Chopra in extra time to win in Melbourne

25 Nov 2007

Aaron BaddeleyAaron Baddeley©2007 Getty Images

(Reuters) – Home favourite Aaron Baddeley held his nerve to seal his first MasterCard Masters title after a marathon sudden-death play-off win over Sweden's Daniel Chopra.

Baddeley recovered from heavy rough at the fourth attempt to separate the pair to par the 18th hole, while Chopra's five foot par putt slid just wide to give the 26 year old Australian the Gold Jacket.

Both players finished regulation play on 13 under par 275 in the tournament’s second year as a co-sanctioned event between The European Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia after Baddeley had carded a closing two under par 70. Overnight leader Chopra finished with a one under par 71.

"In the play-off I felt like I was swinging the club really well. I just kept hitting the same shots and felt that I'd wear him down," said Baddeley, who learned his game at the Huntingdale Golf Club course.

"Every play-off hole I had the chance to win and it was Dan who was saving it to keep it going but I really had to scrap to win that final playoff hole. But it really feels great to win at home. It's fantastic."

Australia's Stuart Appleby, who had led until the final hole, double bogeyed the 18th for a three under par 69 and dropped to third on 11 under par 277. 

Peter O’Malley took fourth while England’s Dave Horsey had the round of the final day, shooting a seven under par 65 with eight birdies and a bogey to jump from a third round tie for 30th to a share of fifth on nine under par 279 with another two Australians, Peter Lonard and Rod Pampling.

Five players shared the lead as the final pairing of Chopra and Kurt Barnes made the turn for home, though one by one they all dropped shots over the last nine holes.

Appleby had looked to be in control after sinking a 30 foot par putt on the 15th, before Chopra chipped in from the edge of the green at the same hole to retake a share of the lead.

He then produced an inch-perfect approach shot on the 16th to set up another birdie and take the lead.

Baddeley birdied the 17th to move into outright second on 13 under before he made par on the 18th, while Chopra two putted for a bogey on the 17th and parred the 18th to finish on the same score and send the pair into their marathon play-off.


 

© Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Official On-Line Services Provider of the European Tour.

You do not have the latest version of Flash Player.
This web site makes use FlashTM software. You have an old version of Flash Player and will need to upgrade in order to see some content.
Why not download and install the latest version now?
Web Sponsors
Go to the BMW website - opens in new windowGo to the Unisys website - opens in new windowGo to the Mastercard website - opens in new windowGo to the Titleist website - opens in new windowGo to the Jumeirah Golf Estates website - opens in new window