HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- Until this week, most people knew Aaron Baddeley from the MacGregor golf commercial a few years ago which had Badds driving a convertible with a bevy of beauties on board. A few years down the road with 20-20 hindsight, Baddeley says that isn't him at all.

He's not a carefree bachelor but a happily married 26-year-old who celebrated his first wedding anniversary with wife Richelle by winning the 2006 Verizon Heritage.

No one would blame Baddeley if he decided to buy a condo somewhere along the 18th hole at Harbour Town. On Friday he holed an 8-iron from 160 yards for an eagle 2 to shoot 67. Baddeley began Sunday speaking of his faith at an Easter sunrise service held at the 18th green, then after breakfast he and his wife went on a walk. Twelve hours later, Baddeley delivered a message of a different tone at the same spot, sinking a 7-foot par putt to thwart Jim Furyk in the quest for the $954,000 first prize and red tartan jacket that goes to the winner.

When he was waiting for Furyk to putt, Baddeley was silently reciting a Bible verse, II Timothy 1:7, which speaks of power, love and a sound mind.

"I had a nice read on (the putt) and I said to myself, 'This is for you, Jesus,' and knocked it in," Baddeley said.

Baddeley said he knew Furyk wasn't going to lose the tournament, so he had to trust his golf swing and the changes he has made in his swing.

"I hit some good shots at the right time," he said.

Baddeley made birdies on the 14th and 15th holes, statistically the toughest par 3 and par 5 on the PGA TOUR in 2005. He made a lengthy putt from the back fringe for the birdie at 14, then lofted a 6-iron over the trees to the back of the green for a two-putt birdie on 15.

Until this week, Baddeley had been recognized for unfulfilled potential. As an amateur, he received a special invitation to participate in the Masters. He made the PGA TOUR by finishing 10th on the 2002 Nationwide Tour money list and had a couple of runner-up finishes in 2003 and 2004. Baddeley won over $1 million in 2005, but was struggling this year. He had missed the cut in three of his seven starts, had only one top-25 and ranked 158th on the money list.

While his golf wasn't where he wanted to be, toiling on the Nationwide Tour, his growing Christian faith gave him peace within.

"I had success early," Baddeley said. "And then I struggled for like three or four years, didn't live up to my expectations or probably the expectations of other people. It was frustrating at times and it was hard at times, but I really felt that my relationship with the Lord helped me get through that."

He said earlier in the week if he weren't playing golf he thinks he would like to preach.

Aaron Baddeley rolled in a 7-foot par putt on the 18th to clinch the title. (Cox/WireImage)

"He's talked about what he would do if he wasn't out here," Richelle said.

Baddeley admitted to being nervous coming down the stretch, but said he felt at peace.

"This is a stepping stone for the big picture," Baddeley said. "It's going to ease (expectations) and I'm going to learn from today. I learned from Jim, watching him play. It's a step in the right direction."

Baddeley's three previous victories all came in Australia and all were tournaments won by his hero, Greg Norman, who won the 1988 Verizon Heritage.

"This is different because it's in America," he said. "I'm a different player. I'm a different person now.

"I definitely feel that a little weight has been lifted. Like now, I know the next time I'm in that position, I'll know that I've gone ahead and won before. So it's going to give me confidence the next time I'm in position.

"I feel like I've been out here forever. That's what I feel like and I'm only 25. I've been playing PGA TOUR events since I was 18. It does feel like a long time, but it's definitely worth the wait."