The Gold Coast Bulletin

Leishman sets sights on major success, top 10

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WITH starts in the four majors already locked up, Australian golfer Marc Leishman believes the added certainty can help him break through to win one in 2018.

Leishman starts the new year at this week’s Tournament of Champions in Hawaii with the added confidence of being Australia’s top-ranked golfer at a career-high world No.12.

Thanks to a stellar 2017, which yielded two US tour wins and well over $US6 million in prizemoney, the 34year-old Victorian is guaranteed entry to the year’s four biggest tournament­s for the first time since 2010.

That could make a big difference in his bid for a maiden major title after some near misses in recent years.

“I’m hoping that’s the case,” said Leishman, who lost in a playoff at the 2015 British Open and tied fourth when Gold Coaster Adam Scott won the 2013 US Masters.

“It’s certainly easier to prepare for them, particular­ly the Masters. When you can start preparing for Augusta earlier in the year, you can get the shots that you need perfected so they can be tested under the pressure of the Masters.”

Leishman has also made breaking into the world top 10 for the first time a goal.

“Getting into the top 10 would be a big achievemen­t and it’s well within reach, so I need to keep doing what I’m doing and not think about it too much,” he said.

Helping Leishman’s push into the upper echelon of golf are invitation­s to the PGA Tour’s elite events, including this week’s no-cut event at Kapalua’s Plantation course on Maui.

 ??  ?? Marc Leishman.
Marc Leishman.

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