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LEISHMAN WANTS TO END AUSSIE DROUGHT
MARC Leishman admits his winless record on Australian golf’s biggest stage is a gaping hole on his otherwise impressive international resume.
But the frustrating lack of domestic trophies is his motivation to win this week’s World Cup of Golf in Melbourne alongside teammate Cameron Smith.
Leishman has compiled an impressive overseas career featuring four US PGA Tour victories across America and Malaysia, as well as a European Tour title in South Africa. He has earned more than $33 million in prizemoney on the PGA Tour alone and has frequently contended in major championships.
But Leishman has never tasted victory at the Australian Open, PGA Championship or World Cup at which he made his debut in 2016 alongside Adam Scott at Kingston Heath.
“I’ve won all around the world now and some smaller events in Australia,” said Leishman, who won the 2008 Victorian PGA Championship.
“But as an Australian golfer, I would say there’s a little hole (in the resume); it’s something that I would like to change.
“Apart from a major, it’s the next thing on the list and something I would love to knock off this week or next (at the PGA Championship).”
The World Cup, which starts today at Metropolitan Golf Club, will see 28 two-man teams play two rounds of four-ball (best ball) and two days of foursomes (alternate shot). Leishman admits the unofficial PGA Tour event’s $US7 million prize pool is attractive, but pales in comparison to the honour of representing an Australian team — a rare occurrence in golf.
“The money doesn’t hurt, but it’s not about that at all; it’s about the prestige of trying to hold up the trophy,” he said. “Any time you can represent your country is a privilege.
“There were a lot of reasons I wanted to come back (to Australia) but particularly when the golf course is this good, it’s pretty hard to say no.”
Leishman will have galleries packed full of family
and friends making the three-hour drive from his native Warrnambool to Metropolitan.
“I know there’s a bus coming down from Warrnambool on the weekend,” Leishman said, “My sister actually is coming down and she’s never seen me play in a tournament.”
World No.21 Leishman is the highest-ranked player at the World Cup and, combined with world No.33 Smith, the pair are favourites to win.
England duo Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter, as well as Americans Matt Kuchar and Kyle Stanley, are among the tournament heavyweights.
“I’ve won all around the world now and some smaller events in Australia. But as an Australian golfer, I would say there’s a little hole (in the resume); it’s something that I would like to change. — MARC LEISHMAN