Aussies to bounce back from fades

JASON Day and Marc Leishman have promised to show up at the US PGA Championship in better shape after squandering back-nine chances to win the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio.

The top-ranked Australians came within striking distance of winner Justin Thomas, only to fall victim to Firestone Country Club’s brutal closing stretch.

Day pulled within two shots of Thomas with three straight birdies from the 10th hole. But bogeys on the 13th and 14th, followed by a double-bogey 16th meant a 73 for Day, to share 10th at seven under.

Thomas carded a oneunder-par 69 and, at 15 under, won by four shots from Kyle Stanley (68).

Leishman gave himself an outside chance with two early birdies but four straight bogeys from the 13th cruelled his hopes of a maiden WGC title, as he carded a 73 to tie for 14th.

“It was ugly, that’s all you can say,” Leishman said. “The course was a lot tougher today and I just completely lost it on the last six holes. You’re playing against the best players in the world and you can’t hit bad shots and miss easy par saves.”

But he said he would take positives from contending at the elite, 71-man WGC into the year’s final major — starting Thursday in St Louis, Missouri.

“For sure, especially contending on a golf course like (Firestone),” Leishman said. “I feel good about my game and I have a few things to work at the PGA.”

Day, the 2015 PGA Championship winner, is also confident of sharpening up.

“I know I’m playing well and I’m hitting my iron shots great,” Day said. “I just have to work on my driver a little bit because it has been quite decent for most of the year, but this week it wasn’t. If I hit more fairways I feel like I’ve got a good chance at winning the PGA Championship.”

Meanwhile, Queenslander Cameron Smith’s 67 earned him outright 23rd at four under.