Aaron Baddeley grabbed a two-strokes lead in the third round of the US Open on Saturday, but must defy Tiger Woods if he wants to record a second straight win for an Australian.
The two will comprise the final pairing on Sunday when the world No 1 goes for his third US Open win and the 13th major of his career. He will start as hot favourite, but the 26-year-old Baddeley has the hard and fast facts on his side.
Woods has a 12 out 12 conversion rate when leading a major going into the final day. He is 0 for 28 when behind. Sunday will not be a two-horse race, however. Four players are on five over, three strokes behind Baddeley and one back off Woods. They are English pair Justin Rose and Paul Casey, Canada's Stephen Ames and Bubba Watson of the United States.
Baddeley said the prospect of going head to head with Woods for the title was an enticing prospect. "It's perfect, it's exciting. He is the best player in the world and he is great to play with.
"I've played with Tiger in the Masters and it is not unusual to play with him in a major."
The Australian insisted he would not be unhinged by the clatter and clamour that accompanies Woods around the golf course when he plays. "I think the galleries are so big that you can't see anyone move," he said. "It's harder when there's four or five guys there because when one guy sort of moves his left arm, you can see it."
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