Leishman on mission for Lyle

MARC Leishman has revealed Jarrod Lyle’s decision to begin palliative care was the inspiration behind his swashbuckling first round at the World Golf Championships-Bridge stone Invitational in Ohio.

Australian world No.19 Leishman hit just four of 14 fairways at the difficult Firestone Country Club but salvaged a remarkable five-underpar 65 to sit three shots behind firstround leader Ian Poulter (62).

English star Poulter set the pace at eight under — one shot ahead of Americans Rickie Fowler and Kyle Stanley (63).

Leishman said good mate Lyle, who this week ceased cancer treatment, was on his mind as he salvaged seven birdies and two bogeys despite hitting just 13 greens in regulation.

“A big part of me wants to win it [for Lyle],” Leishman said.

“It would be great to have a beer out of that trophy for him at the end of the week.”

Former world No.1 Jason Day matched countryman Leishman’s 65 and said he too was hungry to lift the trophy for Lyle.

“To have that platform to dedicate it to him would be special, but we have to put ourselves in position to pull that off,” Day said. AARON Baddeley was joint second after the opening round of the Barracuda Championship in Reno, Nevada, and well placed to notch a crucial victory on the PGA Tour.

The Australian was just three points behind leader Ollie Schniederjans, who scored five points with a closing eagle in the PGA’s only modified Stableford scoring event. AUSTRALIA’S Minjee Lee took a one-stroke lead at the Women’s British Open after chalking up a seven-under-par 65 in her opening round at Royal Lytham.

Lee sank an 8m eagle at the parfive 15th and followed up with a birdie from a similar distance at the next to set up her one-stroke lead over Japan’s Mamiko Higa.

Lee, 22, from Perth, has four LPGA titles and is coming off second place at the Ladies’ Scottish Open.