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Baddeley juggles PGA with child No.6 close

3 minute read

Australia Aaron Baddeley's sixth child may arrive during his home event on the US PGA Tour, this week's Phoenix Open.

AARON BADDELEY.
AARON BADDELEY. Picture: Michael Reaves/Getty Images

With wife Richelle due to give birth to their sixth child at any moment, Aaron Baddeley is counting his blessings that this week's US PGA Tour event is in his hometown.

Australian Baddeley will seek a second Phoenix Open title in Scottsdale, Arizona comforted by the fact he is only minutes away if their baby boy arrives during the tournament.

"It's definitely a blessing. Richelle is due any moment and if anything happens I don't need to rush home on a flight; I can just pop into hospital," four-time US tour winner Baddeley told AAP.

"It's not really a distraction, because we have had five children before so I know what to expect. If it was my first child, I'd be a nervous wreck.

"We're really excited and Richelle has already said that if the baby comes this week I can keep playing the tournament."

The Baddeleys plan to give the baby a name starting with J, in keeping with siblings Jewell, Jolee, Jeremiah, Josiah and Jaddex.

"I think he would have a bit of a complex if his name didn't start with a J and his brothers and sisters all did," Baddeley said.

Baddeley is confident of a good showing at TPC Scottsdale, having won the Phoenix Open in 2007.

"I honestly couldn't feel any more comfortable with every part of my game," he said.

"My (previously injured) back feels great, I'm swinging freely and looking forward to playing golf and trying to win this event again."

World No.34 Cameron Smith, who won the US PGA Tour's recent Sony Open in Hawaii, is the highest-ranked Australian in the field this week.

Smith and Baddeley are joined by fellow Australians Matt Jones and Greg Chalmers.

Headlining the field are stars such as defending champion Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Jon Rahm.

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