Round 4: BMW Championship

By Mike McAllister, PGATOUR.COM

LEMONT, Ill. — Aaron Baddeley figured he needed to get back to even par for the tournament in order to secure his spot inside the top 30 in FedExCup points.

Thanks to an impressive back nine in dificult scoring conditions, Baddeley achieved his goal.

Baddeley

The Australian was a bogey-free 3 under on his last nine holes and finished with a 4-under 67 in Sunday’s final round of the BMW Championship, leaving him at even par after 72 holes. Coming into the week 25th in points, Baddeley is projected to finish in 26th and shouldn’t have to sweat out the  rest of the day.

Baddeley knew he had sealed his fate at the par-4 18th by saving par after hitting his tee shot in the fairway bunker. When he rolled in his par putt from six feet, he gave a little fist pump.

"It’s a big deal making the TOUR Championship," Baddeley said. "You can set your schedule for the next year. Plus, if I didn’t make the TOUR Championship, I’d have no chance of making The Presidents Cup. I get one more week to play well and impress Greg."

That would be Greg Norman, the captain of the International team. Baddeley won’t automatically qualify for the team, since he won’t finish in the top 10 in Presidents Cup points after Sunday’s round. But Norman’s two captain’s picks will be announced the Tuesday after the TOUR Championship.

If Baddeley plays well at East Lake, that could be the decisive factor in getting one of those picks.

"It’s a massive deal, The Presidents Cup being in Australia," Baddeley said. "How often do you get to play for your country in your home country? To make that team is a huge incentive."