Leishman excited as new-look Tour starts
THE fields of golf-starved stars are so strong as the US PGA Tour returns that early tournaments will feel like major championships, says Marc Leishman.
World No.15 Leishman is among 15 of the world’s top 20 players, including No.1 Rory McIlroy and No.3 Brooks Koepka, preparing for tomorrow’s tour restart at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Forth Worth, Texas.
He is one of 13 Australians teeing up this week either there or at the secondary Korn Ferry Tour event in Florida as tour golf comes out of its 90day coronavirus shutdown.
An excited Leishman travelled from his home in Virginia to Texas yesterday, determined to quickly recapture the form that earned him his fifth US tour title at the Farmers Insurance Open in California in January.
Leishman said it would be tough to win, with players eager to make an early mark in the condensed season ahead.
“The fields for the first few events are so strong that they will feel a bit like the majors and that will help with motivation,” he said.
“Winning again and making sure I secure a really good starting position for the (season-ending) Tour Championship (in August) will keep me pretty fired up.”
No crowds or handshakes, nasal swabs and golfers wearing microphones on course are part of the new look for the tour following the hiatus.
The safety protocols require players, caddies, officials and tour employees to undergo coronavirus tests before travelling and they will be subject to at least two further tests at each event.
“There have already been some very awkward fist bumps when someone has gone in for a handshake with me but realised we can’t and withdrew and that’s going to happen for a few months,” Leishman said.
“Getting a four-inch swab shoved up your nostril is different, but that’s expected and it’s a measure to keep us all safe.
“It’s going to be weird without crowds; it’ll be funny if I wave to a non-existent crowd when I make a birdie putt.”
Joining Leishman at Colonial Country Club this week are countrymen Cameron Smith, Jason Day, Cameron Davis, Matt Jones and sponsor’s invitee John Senden.
Stalwart Robert Allenby will feature on the Korn Ferry Tour event alongside fellow Australians Ryan Ruffels, Brett Coletta, Harrison Endycott, Curtis Luck, Brett Drewitt and Jamie Arnold at Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass at Ponte Vedra Beach.
“It’s going to be weird without crowds; it’ll be funny if I wave to a non-existent crowd when I make a birdie putt.” — MARC LEISHMAN