Young Australian golfer Aaron Baddeley has been forced to withdraw from the pro-am which precedes this week's Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth as he is suffering from a pinched nerve in his hip. The Double Australian Open champion, who is only 20 years of age, was forced to pull out after six holes. However, after undergoing physiotherapy, he said he fully expects to be able to play in tomorrow's first round of the prestigious event.
Baddeley has been tipped for greatness ever since he won the Australian Open first as an amateur and then in only his second start as a professional. The Melbourne star also added the Greg Norman Holden title last season when he beat Spanish sensation Sergio Garcia in a play-off. However, he then opted to play on the American tour rather than spending a year in Europe and struggled to rediscover his home form. He is now hoping for better things from 2002.
"I'm trying to get some more starts in America, but I'm also playing the Benson and Hedges at The Belfry, the Deutsche Bank in Heidelberg and the Volvo PGA at Wentworth in May. Then it will be back to America for the US Open qualifying. After that we will decide what to do. If I play well in the States I'll keep playing in the States and if not I'll go and play in Europe. Last year was tough, but I learnt a lot and I would not change anything I did at all," he said.
Altough Baddeley is one of the most popular Australian golfers who will be participating in the Johnnie Walker Classic, all eyes will be on his fellow countryman Geoff Nicholas, the 12 times world amputee golf champion, who is making his European tour debut in the event. The 40-year-old, who has played as a professional on the Australasian tour before losing his card, received an invite from tournament organisers to play alongside some of the world's top golfers.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
