Leishman tips tight scoring at Torrey

VICTORIAN Marc Leishman knows the folly of being overconfident going into a US Open.

But the firm and fast Torrey Pines layout confronting the Aussie this week, a place where Leishman has won, is enough for him to feel like his chances are “as good as they get”.

Leishman won at the San Diego course in January in the Farmers Insurance Open, so familiarity and comfort are on his side this week.

But the US Open has been his worst major. He has a best finish of 18th and has missed four cuts in nine appearances.

Leishman, who missed the cut at last month’s PGA Championship, will play the opening two rounds with tournament favourite Jon Rahm. He likes what he’s seen so far.

“It’s a course I like. As far as US Open courses, it’s as good as it’ll get for me. But it’s still going to be really tough,” Leishman

(left) said. “Confidence is good, but I’m never one to go into a US Open overconfident.

“Scoring will be tough.” Leishman said he had put his form in the PGA at Kiawah Island into perspective.

“I mean, it was a very different golf course, different conditions. I’m not worried about that one,” he said. “That’s probably the hardest major for Australians, the PGA, the way it’s normally set up. Definitely feel a little bit more optimistic about this week.”

Fellow Aussie Cameron Smith said he had done a “ton of practice” in recent weeks, having played just one tournament since the PGA.

“It’s going to be a good challenge around here,” Smith said. “US Opens are always a challenge. They always mix it up. The weather is going to be perfect. That’s probably the only thing in our favour.”

Leishman and Smith are among seven Australians hoping to be the first since Geoff Ogilvy in 2006 to toast US Open success, alongside Adam Scott, Matt Jones, Wade Ormsby, Brad Kennedy and veteran Steve Allan.