[Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images]
Marc Leishman is exuding that difficult-to-attain combination of confidence and comfort ahead of this week’s Crown Australian Open.
Coming off a share of third place at the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland, the 42-year-old from Warrnambool shapes as one of the players to beat at Royal Melbourne.
RELATED: Spain’s David Puig breaks Aussie stranglehold on the Australian PGA Championship
Leishman made 21 birdies and an eagle for the week yet lamented a few missed putts and squandered chances in finishing three strokes behind PGA winner David Puig, but was quick to project ahead to his chances on the crown jewel of Australian golf.
“I missed a lot of makeable putts,” Leishman said in summarising his four rounds in Brisbane. “But probably everyone in the field could say that. It’s a little frustrating, but the signs are really good for next week. I’m playing some of the best golf I’ve ever played.
“[I’m] driving it good, irons are good, putter feels great. Just hopefully I can… make a few putts next week.
“It just feels consistent,” he continued. “I feel like I know where my misses are going to go, wedges have been really good, course management’s been really good. I’m just making good decisions, and I think that comes with being fresh as well. It’s easier to make good decisions when you are not playing quite as much golf. I think playing less golf’s been really good for me.”
Leishman added the WA Open to his playing schedule in part as preparation for the examination Royal Melbourne will present.
“I was hoping it was going to be building up to this week,” he said. “I love Royal Melbourne. I’ve played well there before. Hopefully I can just play well again. Golf’s fun when you’re playing well and hopefully I can just give myself another chance next Sunday.”
