Home field advantages

Leishman wants Ashes-like atmosphere

FRIENDLY fist bumps which became unfriendly fist thumps from heavy-handed home town fans in New York two years ago stirred the emotions of Marc Leishman to turn the Presidents Cup tables at Royal Melbourne.

After International teammate Adam Scott urged locals not to cheer Tiger Woods and his star-studded team USA next week, Leishman likewise wants the visitors to be made to feel uncomfortable.

There’s a line no one wants crossed but the genial Aussie also knows there’s only one way to get the type of support which could help the Internationals break a run of seven straight defeats.

“The Americans had a massive home field advantage. Some of the things we got done to us (at Liberty National in 2017) were not very nice,“Leishman said .

“In the first round in New York you are walking between holes and kids have got their hands out giving fist bumps and there are a couple of guys punching your hand. That’s the stuff we deal with.

“I’m not saying do that. But that’s what we deal with and we want home field advantage.

“Get loud. You almost want it like Australia versus England in the Ashes. Be respectful, but be supportive.

“But that comes back to the players as well ... if we’re not making birdies, and not winning holes, it’s impossible.”

Leishman played Royal Melbourne yesterday, his first look at one of his favourite courses in more than 12 months. Its layout favours him and Scott. But while the new age of professionals are instant adaptors, and can sum up a course with just a couple of looks, Leishman said the arena of the Presidents Cup could be different.

The American team boast half of the world’s top 10. But there are also six Presidents Cup debutantes, and the same number have never played in Australia.

“There are definitely going to be guys who haven’t been in this situation ... where the crowd is not right behind them, and playing out of America,” Leishman said.