He earned a start at the PGA Tour’s Canadian Open in 2001, making the cut in an event in which Tiger Woods did not. Paddison turned professional in late 2001 and earned his Australasian Tour card almost immediately.
He was named the Australasian Tour’s rookie of the year in 2002, winning an event in his homeland in Dunedin assisting his cause.
Paddison has gone on to win five PGA Tour of Australasia titles along with one of the European Challenge Tour and others on the Von Nida Tour in Australia. He has been twice 3rd in flagship Australian events, the Australian PGA and Masters Championships, his 3rd place at the Australian PGA Championship in 2001 coming after leading late in the final round in what was his rookie season.
