Leishman two strokes behind after first round of Aussie PGA

GOLD COAST: Marc Leishman’s quest for a first professional victory on home soil got off to a strong start with a four-under 68 to sit two strokes behind the first-round leaders.

Leishman, starting on the 10th, had two bogeys and two birdies on his first nine before making birdie on four of his final seven holes at Royal Pines yesterday.

Leaders Jake McLeod and fellow Australian Matt Jager shot 66 to take a one-stroke lead over South Korean Eom Jae-woong and Dimitrios Papadatos.

Leishman, who was in a group tied for fourth, said his round could have been better.

“I think seven-under would be a great score around here,” Leishman said. “It’s been the goal of mine for the last few years, when I don’t have my best golf, my best stuff, to still shoot under par. I’m getting better at it.”

American Harold Varner III, who won the tournament in 2016 and has finished second in a playoff and sixth in three Australian PGAs at Royal Pines, shot 69.

Defending champion Cameron Smith shot 70, as did England’s Andrew (Beef ) Johnston, who recovered from being three-over after three holes and had to be talked out of quitting his round. Starting on the 10th, Johnston hooked drives on the 10th and 12th holes.

“I nearly walked off the course after 12, to be honest,” Johnston said. “It’s been a frustrating year, and yeah, it’s really annoyed me in the past. But I spoke to my girlfriend and she just said keep going, so I did and I just tried to stay calm. Luckily I turned it around.”