A triple to start off vs Tiger? Best thing that could have happened to Baddeley...well not really

OAKMONT, Pa. - This triple bogey start by Aaron Baddeley, worse than Sergio’s last stand vs. Tiger at Hoylake last year, is the best thing that could have happened to him.

Actually the best thing would have been Tiger making triple…but see where I’m going with this…

Baddeley’s got his head on straight again and has to know it can’t get any worse. The butterflies are gone. He can relax a little.

The good news? He’s just one back of Tiger - who still looks like he won’t be hitting putts.

I was hanging out on the range while the leaders were there. Interesting to see Baddeley come out before Tiger, chat up with Bubba Watson (who doubled the first…what were they talking about, anyways?) then as soon as he heard the “Tiger roar” - darted for the port-o-john. Who knows if it was for a heave or maybe he’s too polite to shoot a snot rocket in front of everyone.

If Baddeley can keep it close, he’s got a shot for another reason:

These distances are going to be messing with players’ heads today. The second is 307, 8th is 300, 14 is 313 and 17 is 306. Tiger needs to show some restraint on some of these - whoops, just airmailed the 2nd green for a tough bunker shot.