Australian Aaron Baddeley showed why he is ranked as one of the best putters in world golf when he birdied three of the last four holes to win the FBR Open - his second US PGA Tour title in less than 12 months.

Baddeley, who led the putts per round figures on the tour in 2006, averaged just 26 putts in his rounds of 65-70-64-64 at the TPC course, which is five minutes down the road from his US home.

On the first day he needed only 20 putts in a round that included nine straight one-putt greens on the back nine.

Two shots off the pace entering the final round, Baddeley eagled the third then rammed home birdie putts on 15, 16 and 17 on his way to a seven-under-par finish.

He overhauled Scottsdale neighbour Jeff Quinney, who has led three tournaments in the final round this year without being able to close the deal.

Quinney had to settle for third behind fellow American John Rollins, who stormed into second place with a 63.

Baddeley, 25, earned $A1.4 million - the biggest payday of his career - in following up his breakthrough win at the Heritage Classic at Hilton Head last April.

He also kept up the strike rate of Australian golfers, who won a record eight tournaments on the tour in 2006.

"I was definitely a lot calmer than at Hilton Head," said Baddeley, who went about his business with great assurance despite the hubbub created by more than half a million spectators over the four days.

"This is another stepping stone, whereas the first one felt more of a relief and just like taking the first step."

He is now aiming to win a major championship within five years.

"It's a long way to go yet, I know that, and there's a lot of hard work to be put in. But I'm definitely setting my sights on that."

Baddeley, who missed the cut in his previous US tour start in Hawaii, carded 25 birdies and an eagle over the four days, with just four bogeys and a lone double-bogey.

"I was comfortable with my swing after all the hard work I have been doing," he said.

He has been using the Philadelphia-based coaching team of Andy Plummer and Mike Bennett for just over 12 months.

"I've really seen a big improvement in the consistency of my ball striking.

"My misses are getting a lot straighter."

Baddeley, a dual Australian Open winner, had his personal cheer squad of friends and relatives all wearing "Badds Brigade" tee-shirts run up by his sister-in-law before the final round.

His American wife Richelle was standing beside the final green ready to embrace him as the winning putt dropped.

Baddeley's victory catapulted him from 90th to fourth on the Fed Ex Cup rankings, behind Rollins, Vijay Singh and Charles Howell III.

Peter Lonard was the best of the other Australians, closing with a 69 for a share of 14th, nine shots behind Baddeley. It was his best finish of the year.

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