Baddeley recruits Tom Lehman's former caddy

Aaron Baddeley has hired one of the best caddies in the business as he continues his drive up the world golf rankings.

American Andy Martinez, who has caddied for former world No.1 Tom Lehman the past 12 years after previously working for the legendary Johnny Miller, will start working for Baddeley at next week's Honda Classic in Florida.

"Tom's a good friend," said Baddeley, who finished second at the US PGA Tour's Chrysler Classic in Tucson, Arizona on Sunday.

"He called me (recently) and asked if I was still looking for a caddie, and suggested Andy.

"I thought about it for 24 hours and decided Andy was the right man for the job. His experience is going to be invaluable."

The 22-year-old Victorian said it is a bonus that Martinez is a fellow Christian, but that it was not a hugely important factor in his decision.

Baddeley's previous caddie, Kiwi Anthony Knight, retired at the end of last year, while Melbourne's Simon Clarke filled in for the first few weeks of this season.

The two-time Australian Open champion had an old Melbourne friend, Michael "Mouse" Waghorn, on the bag at Tucson.

Martinez was on the bag when Lehman won the 1996 British Open at Royal Lytham. He also worked for Miller back in the American's halcyon days of the 1970s.

After this week off, Baddeley will play three events in a row in Florida. He will qualify for the Masters if he is ranked among the top 10 on the US Tour money list, or the top 50 in the world rankings, at the end of this month.

He is 27th on the money list and rose from 115th to 91st in the world rankings after his runner up finish in Tucson.

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