IT’S TIME TO UNLEISH

MARC Leishman will chase an overdue win at the Australian PGA Championship by plundering the vulnerable par-fives at Royal Pines and using the wedge wisdom he’s borrowed from main rival Cameron Smith.

Leishman’s trophyless history in Australia’s big events niggles at him and he made it clear the holiday mentality he once took into PGA week on the Gold Coast is long gone as he prepared for this morning’s tee-off.

The tall Victorian eagled the 15th in the first and second round last year when he was co-leader after 36 holes, and feels he can squeeze even more value out of the four par-fives.

“Obviously, I’ve got a purpose to be here. I want to try and win one of these, win this event,” Leishman said before winds lashed his final tune-up in yesterday’s pro-am.

“I haven’t managed to win one of the three big Australian events yet, so that’s very high on the list, a missing piece.

“The first few years I came back for the event here, it was almost a bit of a holiday. I’m done for the year. I love the Gold Coast.

“Hopefully, we play well. I’d say I’m definitely more determined to do the right things (around focus and preparation) because I don’t want to get another five years down the track and still be getting asked the (trophy) questions.”

Leishman’s hot 67-65 start last year put the PGA at his mercy but he trod water in the third round with 15 pars when his putter went cold. He didn’t birdie any of the par-fives and eventual winner Smith made up seven shots.

“You could be eight or nine-under for the week on the par-fives here being aggressive because a couple are very reachable with (four or fiveiron second shots),” Leishman said.

“They can all bite you as well with trouble, so you’ve got to be hitting good shots. Every week, putting is the key but I think more so here because of the grain in the greens, because some are quite severe.”

Leishman is 35 but you are never too old to pick up new skills from a young gun who hits his wedges as well as Smith who is 10 years his junior.