LET OFF THE LEISH

Aussie urges fans to get in faces of Americans at Cup

GOLF:

Friendly fist bumps which became unfriendly fist thumps from heavy-handed hometown 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 crossed but the genial one wants Aussie also knows there’s 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) was 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.

“We have to get off to a good start.” Leishman played Royal Melbourne yesterday afternoon, his first look at one of his favourite golf courses for more than 12 months.

It’s a layout which gives another advantage to 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, and only two players outside the top 20.

But there are also six Presidents Cup debutants for the visitors, 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.

“On paper they do have a stronger team but we have the best chance we have had in the last few years for sure.”

A CUT ABOVE: Marc Leishman is obsessed with his lawn. When he’s home at Virginia Beach in the US, he cuts it nearly every day. The Aussie golf star calls it his “therapy”. So the Richmond fanatic, back in Australia for the Australian Open and next week’s Presidents Cup, jumped at the chance to get his lawn-mowing fix at the mighty MCG. Leishman even took his time to get the lowdown from ground staff on how to get the perfect “stripes” for his lawn when the sun comes out again at home. Pictures: Kelly Defina/Getty Images