Leishman powers to win

– Australia’s Marc Leishman (above) unleashed an early birdie barrage as he romped home by five shots to win the CIMB Classic yesterday.

At the par-72 TPC Kuala Lumpur, Leishman closed with a seven-under par 65 to finish the only PGA Tour event in southeast Asia at 26-under par 262 for his fourth win on the PGA Tour.

His effort was five shots better than Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo (66), and the American duo of Chesson Hadley (66) and Bronson Burgoon (68).

Two-time champion and former world No 1 Justin Thomas (64) closed with three birdies in his last three holes to surge up the leaderboard and finish tied fifth at 268, where he was joined by Mexican Abraham Ancer (65), South Africa’s Louis Oosthizen (69) and fellow Americans Charles Howell III (67) and Gary Woodland (71).

The world No 24 won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the BMW Championship in 2017 and continued his winning streak in 2018 with the CIMB Classic win.

It all would have looked a distant dream when the 34-year-old almost quit the game around the time of the 2015 Masters, when his wife Audrey was diagnosed with and nearly died from acute respiratory distress syndrome and toxic shock syndrome.

An emotional Leishman, who made eight birdies, including a putt from 50 feet on the par-four ninth, and a solitary bogey, said it felt “unbelievable” to win.

“It was a very tough time that we went through, but it certainly made us stronger,” he said of his wife’s illness.

“It made me realise that golf’s not life or death ... As long as I give it my best shot, that’s what it’s all about.” –

Kuala Lumpur