Young golf star Aaron Baddeley, dismissed by some because of patchy form this year, has sent out a clear warning to the field in this week's Australian PGA Championship at Coolum.

Baddeley came within one shot of a chance of capturing a third Australian Open when he finished joint runner-up in the title at Victoria Golf Club.

A storming finish on his home ground saw the 21-year-old end the shortened 54-hole event at 11 under the card, alongside American Rich Beem and Australia's Craig Parry - and one shot shy of winner Steve Allan.

Baddeley admits his game has suffered on a roller-coaster this past year, although he played well enough on the secondary Buy.com Tour in the US to win a card to the senior circuit in 2003.

But, now, his message is, his consistency is better than at any time in his career.

"I played well, I hit it great again today, I just didn't hole a putt," Baddeley said.

"It's been funny because three of my last four events have been 54 holes and I've felt if I'd had another round I could have either won or gone really close to winning.

"My ball striking is really solid, I just have to hole a couple more putts and we're good to go.

"I feel like my confidence is there, I just feel it's going to get better every week.

"It has sort of shown, I have got better every week.

"I've been very consistent which is one thing I didn't have a lot of for a long time ... my whole career really.

"I was either up or down. Right now it's really consistent, which is great."

Parry will also be one of the major drawcards this week, along with American John Daly, who has decided to honour a commitment to play, despite the death of his mother last week.

Daly will fly back to the US immediately after the tournament to be in time for the funeral.

Allan will return this week to his home in Arizona before driving to the US Tour School in Palm Springs, California.

The PGA will also be missing its defending champion, Robert Allenby, who has opted to play in the 12-man Nedbank Challenge in Sun City, South Africa.

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