Australian wonder boy Aaron Baddeley beat Sergio Garcia with a 20-foot birdie putt at the first play-off hole to capture a thrilling Greg Norman Holden International in Sydney yesterday.

The 19-year-old, already a winner of the Australian Open as an amateur and then in only his second event as a professional, matched Garcia's closing 68 to force sudden death and stepped in when Garcia had failed with his 40-foot attempt.

It earned him a two-year European Tour exemption - this was his tour debut as a pro - and a cheque for £142,401.

Garcia, of course, was left to curse the two-stroke penalty for a wrong drop which brought him back level with Baddeley with a round to go.

He had an 18-foot eagle chance on the 71st and a 10-foot birdie chance on the 72nd green, but both slipped by to leave him and Baddeley locked at 21-under-par on 271.

Luton's Ian Poulter, Rookie of the Year on the European Tour last season, was part of a three-way tie for the lead when he dramatically holed a 30-yard bunker shot for an eagle on the long 17th.

But the birdies Garcia and Baddeley both made there dropped him one behind again and when Poulter missed from 18 feet on the last he sensed his chance was gone. He finished one behind.

Tournament host Norman was fourth on 19 under and another Australian, left-hander Nick O'Hern, fifth.

Norman had celebrated his 46th birthday the previous day, but the celebrations turned sour when he was involved in an incident with two press photographers and he had to give a statement to police. His manager, Bart Collins, described the incident at a city centre restaurant as "a storm in a teacup."

According to Collins, the two took photographs despite being asked not to by both Norman and his American caddie Tony Navarro.

"They were walking backwards and one of them tripped over a step," said Collins, who was also present. "Greg tried to break his fall and to help, but the man said he had neck pains and claimed Greg had accosted him.

"As soon as it happened we called the police and an ambulance, but it was the most bogus claim I've ever experienced and a complete set-up.

"The police said we should enjoy our dinner and then make a statement. There was no enjoyment and no birthday celebrations, though, and by the time we were through it was 12.15 a. m.

"No charges have been pressed. It was an unfortunate situation where two guys tried to entrap Greg (the other photographer apparently tried to sell pictures of the incident), but the facts were very clear and Greg did absolutely nothing wrong."