Golf Australia

HOW I’LL PLAY AMEN CORNER ...

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White Dogwood Par-4, 11th hole “The 11th is probably in the top-two hardest holes on the course alongside the 4th. You’re just hoping that you hit the fairway. Missing left is not good but right’s really not good, so you’re trying to avoid right and get it into that fairway. You have to pick a fairly aggressive target into that green because right is not very good. It’s a really hard chip shot from the right of that green. That’s one of those shots that actually looks really easy on TV but it’s not. You’re in a decent sized hollow or valley and hitting up to a green that slopes away from you towards the water, so it’s really important to hit two good shots at 11 or you’re probably making bogey.”

Golden Bell Par-3, 12th hole “If it’s not windy, you’re thinking birdie and it’s no more than 9-iron. But if it’s windy, it’s probably one of the hardest holes on the course because you just don’t know where it is. I’ve played with guys that have only just got it to the water – thinking it’s going to be a good shot – and I’ve played with guys that have airmailed the green by 15 or 20 metres. Generally you’re just aiming for the middle of the green and ignoring the flag.”

Azalea Par-5, 13th hole “You’ve just got to hit a good tee shot at 13. You’ve got to hit a big hook around that corner and try and get yourself a midiron into the green. You really need to hit two good shots.

“That whole golf course, if you’re hitting good shots, you can really make birdies. But particular­ly on Amen Corner, there’s trouble out there, but if you’re hitting good shots, you can make birdies. I think that’s the sign of a good golf course. Bad shots get punished and good shots get rewarded – and that’s certainly what happens around Augusta.”

“There’s just so many players who could win,” Leishman acknowledg­ed.

“I mean, Rory’s (McIlroy) hitting it so good at the moment, (Justin) Rosey usually plays well around Augusta, Phil’s (Mickelson) still playing really well and obviously there’s Tiger if he’s fit.”

Still, he dares to dream of winning the green jacket one day. If not for him, for his three young, trophy-driven children: Oliver, Harvey and Eva.

“My kids would be so excited, it would be crazy. Jeez, I would probably be more excited than they would be though,” Leishman laughed. So, what’s the key for him to play well at Augusta? “Driving it well is the most important thing for me there,” Leishman said after some thought.

“I guess the strength of my game is my iron play – and that has to be good there as well – but I think, more importantl­y, if I’m hitting out of the fairways there I feel I’m a decent chance of having a good week.”

The owner of Leishman Lager – which was created in 2016 to help fund the Begin Again Foundation he and his wife Audrey started after she recovered from life-threatenin­g toxic shock and acute respirator­y syndromes – has become renowned for his ability to charge up leaderboar­ds late on Sundays. But he hopes to change that.

“Yes, definitely,” said Leishman when asked whether he was trying to begin tournament­s faster.

“That’s always been the case in my profession­al career for whatever reason, I’m better at coming from behind. I mean, I can do it both ways. But it seems like that’s what I’ve had more success doing.”

In order to start strongly at Augusta National, Leishman will need to possess the necessary shots in his arsenal to successful­ly work his

I’M EXCITED ABOUT GETTING BACK TO AUGUSTA. HAVING WON EARLIER IN THE YEAR, I GUESS THE PRESSURE’S OFF A LITTLE BIT.

way around the Alister MacKenzie-designed masterpiec­e. Which is precisely why he began focusing on The Masters six weeks out from the opening round.

“My attention has definitely turned towards Augusta, although there are some pretty big tournament­s coming up,” Leishman said in reference to the Arnold Palmer Invitation­al, The Players Championsh­ip and the WGC-Match Play.

“The shots you work on for Augusta come in handy for everywhere else, too. Especially being a fader of the ball, I’ve got to work on some more draws, particular­ly with the 3-wood. I already work my irons both ways anyway just naturally – but drawing the 3-wood, that comes in handy everywhere else, too, so I’ve been in that frame of mind for probably a few weeks already just trying to have that controlled hook ready to go.”

The lawn-obsessed Leishman, who jumped at the opportunit­y to prepare the outfield at the MCG last December, spoke highly of the “flawless” playing conditions at Augusta National. But he also praised the timeless design of the course and its ability to challenge every aspect of a player’s game.

“You’re always learning there – and unfortunat­ely it’s generally from your mistakes and not your good stuŒ. Augusta might not look that diŽcult on TV because they’re generally showing the best players in the world playing their best shots. But it’s really not, and it can make you look fairly stupid to be honest if you’re not careful,” he laughed.

Plenty has changed in the 29 years since the Leishmans dragged themselves out of bed to watch Woosnam capture his lone major. But two things remain the same: the wind is still blowing in Warrnamboo­l – and Marc Leishman is still in awe of Augusta National.

“It’s just one of those special places and you feel fortunate to be driving up Magnolia Lane every time you do it,” Leishman said, meaningful­ly.

“I guess you dream of one day driving in the other direction with a green jacket on the back seat. That’s one of the best things I can think about and hopefully it will happen one day.”

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