HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. ? Aaron Baddeley began the day in the most perfect place he could imagine, on Harbour Town’s lighthouse closing hole speaking about his Christian faith.

He called on that faith hours later Sunday on the same hole, repeating part of a New Testament verse as he stood over the winning six-foot par putt in the final round of the Verizon Heritage.

“I said, ‘This is for you Jesus,’ and knocked it in,” Baddeley said.

Baddeley won his first PGA Tour title, rallying with two late birdies and finishing off Jim Furyk with a scrambling par on the 18th. Baddeley was tied with Furyk entering the round, had a two-shot lead by the fifth hole, then was down by that many to Furyk after No. 11.

But the 25-year-old Australian proved unflappable, birdieing two of the hardest holes on the PGA Tour – the 14th was statistically the hardest par 3 on tour last year and the 15th was the hardest par 5 – to move in front for good.

Baddeley shot a 1-under 70 to finish at 15 under, a stroke ahead of Furyk (71) and two ahead of Vaughn Taylor (66) and Billy Mayfair (69).

“This is a stepping stone of the big picture,” Baddeley said.

For his golf career, it’s winning majors. For his life, it’s following his faith. He aspires to use his golf career as a ministry to reach others. He celebrated his one-year anniversary this past Saturday. He eagerly agreed to the early morning service during The Players Championship, not knowing if he’d make the cut at Harbour Town.

Two days earlier, Baddeley closed his second round with an unlikely eagle at the famous lighthouse hole.

“At the 18th hole this morning, he was giving amazing testimony,” said Baddeley’s wife, Richelle. “Ten hours later, he’s holding the trophy. So, it was great.”

Baddeley won $954,000 and gained a tour exemption through 2008.