[Photo: Getty images]
Pre-tournament favourite Marc Leishman will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Vic PGA as he tries to secure his first Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia title since winning the same event in 2008.
On Saturday, a third round of four-under-par 68 in tricky winds on the Open Course at Moonah Links moved Leishman to nine-under-par for the tournament, one clear of fellow Victorian Josh Younger (73) with NSW’s Andrew Campbell (67) a shot further back.
Nine players are within five shots of the lead.
An individual winner at LIV Golf Miami this year, Leishman rates his 2025 season as the second best of his career – trailing only 2017 when he won twice on the PGA Tour, and a victory at home in front of family and friends would make the campaign even more memorable.
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“As far as playing goes, this would be the best I’ve played probably ever,” Leishman said after his third round which featured six birdies and two bogeys.
Tied for the lead coming into the par-5 18th, Leishman hit an exquisite chip shot to set up a tap-in birdie and a one-shot lead going into the final round.
The only disappointment for the 42-year-old is that his son alongside Harvey will not be playing alongside him in the pro-am competition on Sunday after the duo missed out on qualifying for the last eight on a countback.
However dad Paul will be back on his bag as caddie – for nine holes at least – on Sunday with Harvey among a throng of Leishmans in the gallery.
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“We had a really good day. It was nice to make a birdie on the last and to give Harvey a chance of qualifying. I’m excited to try and get it done in the tournament,” the Ripper GC squad member said.
Playing just his third Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia event of the 2025/26 season, Younger was content with his 73 and is looking forward to the chance to reignite his career with a win on Sunday, playing with a golfer he’s competed against for almost 30 years.
“I reckon the first time we met, we might’ve been 15-year-olds who played a junior tournament in Ballarat,” Younger said of Leishman. “He’s gone on to bigger and better things since then. Fun times. That’ll be good tomorrow.”
Campbell surged into contention for his first Tour title with a run of four straight birdies on the way back to the clubhouse, while round one leader Matt Griffin (69) is also still in touch, four shots back.
