Assertive play sees Leishman share lead
MARC Leishman’s all- out attack on the par fives may put him within reach of the Australian PGA title, yet it will take the bulldog spirit he admires most in marvel Peter Senior to nail it.
The tall Victorian yesterday tore apart Royal Pines with seven birdies and an eagle for a superb 65 to emphasise again why the Greg Norman Medal gong for Australia’s top golfer of the year was a no- contest.
Beyond reaching the joint lead at 12- under- par ( 67- 65), it was the sheer relish to back the supreme confidence in his game that suggested Leishman can grab the first big title on home soil that he craves.
It was all summed up on the par fives and not just because of his second eagle of the week on the 15th where he ripped a four iron 229m to just over 2m.
It was his audacious play to lash driver off the deck at the par five 12th hole in an effort to plunder another eagle.
Leishman’s play from 245m into a little wind was pin high but skewed 10m right into a lake for bogey. It didn’t perturb him or coach Denis McDade because Leishman is not going to bed tomorrow night wondering if a little more fearless shotmaking could have been the difference.
“I’m fairly aggressive with my golf and if I feel like there’s a chance I can make ( eagle) three by being aggressive, I’ll go for it,” Leishman said.
Leishman is grateful for wife Audrey telling him to get his backside back to Australia, rather than playing the Tiger Woods’ tournament in the Bahamas, because he always wanted to show respect to The Shark Medal by collecting it in person.
Seasoned pros Rod Pampling ( 2008 Australian Masters) and John Senden ( 2006 Australian Open) both cherish their single big Australian title.
Leishman and impressive Queenslander Cameron Smith ( 68- 67) will have a void in their resumes until they win one too.
“There’s obviously a long way to go but to win in front of friends and family would be huge because you play all around the world where you don’t have a whole lot of support,” Leishman said.
“It’s also to win a tournament that you’ve grown up watching on TV. You’ve gone and watched it as a kid and hope you’re going to play in it and possibly win it.”
AUSTRALIAN PGA DAY 2 LEADERBOARD 12- under: Marc Leishman ( 67- 65), Adam Bland ( 66- 66) 10- under: Greg Chalmers ( 68- 66) 9- under: Cameron Smith ( 68- 67), Jordan Zunic ( 66- 69), Rhein Gibson ( 68- 67)
7- under: Harold Varner III ( 71- 66), James Nitties ( 68- 69), Brett Rankin ( 68- 69)