Special Features Warrnambool’s Finest - Marc Leishman It’s one of the enduring images from Adam Scott’s break through win at The Masters in 2013. s Scott was going all Australian players have image of all is the one Australians won on the PGA February / March 2015 ballistic after dreamt of. where I'm celebrating the TOUR in 2014 and although sinking what he An hour earlier, putt on the 72nd hole and Leishman was not one of A thought was the Leishman’s chances of in the background, there's them, the mateship shines winning putt on the 72nd pulling on Australia’s first Marc pumping his fist.” through. hole, in the background his Green Jacket were literally “That is just incredible “It was awesome to see. Aussie playing partner Marc sunk when his approach to me. That's the best We all feed off each other Leishman was quietly fist to the 15th found the photograph of the whole when guys are doing well.” pumping in delight for his greenside pond. But there week because it showed Leishman said . OB Golf & Lifestyle Magazine colleague, Presidents Cup he was, as deflated and what kind of a bloke Marc “A lot of us Australian teammate and compatriot disappointed as he must is.” boys play practice rounds 90 – knowing full well the have been, pumped for his This past Australian together. It’s great to see significance of the moment mate. summer, Leishman was your friends winning and for Scott and Australia. The gesture alone says notable for his absence it gives you motivation to Angel Cabrera almost a lot about the character of from all but one of the four want to win as well.” crashed the party with his Marc Leishman, as Scott big events but for all the It’s a point easily own birdie on the last to set would affirm much later right reasons – remaining overlooked by most golf up a playoff which Scott when he became aware of in the U.S. to attend the fans that Leishman, despite would go on to prevail the image. wedding of caddie and not adding to his sole win in but for all intents and “We were two long-time Warrnambool in America at the 2012 purposes for both Scott Australians trying to win the mate Matt Kelly. Travelers Championship and Leishman, that putt Masters.” Scott said, “One In the wake of Scott’s in Hartford and playing was the historic moment of us did it and my favourite win at Augusta, a record six second fiddle to his mates Special Features in that regard, enjoyed his one of the stereotypical “There’s more than one Australian’s game to a tee. most consistent of six full PGA Tour ‘enclaves’ like way to skin a cat, that’s for “Augusta sets up pretty years on the PGA TOUR a Scottsdale, Orlando sure. I might tinker a little well for me. I played the last year. or Palm Beach, where bit here and there but I’ll British Open the last time Leishman’s haul: in he might be tempted never look like Rory McIlroy it was at St Andrews and excess of US$2.5 million to play and practice or Jason Day. I enjoy my played OK. Whistling in earnings, a career-high alongside dozens of other food and my beer a bit too Straits, I played well when six top-tens, a tie for 5th at professionals. much to do that!” the PGA was there last and The Open Championship at Leishman met wife What Leishman is then Chambers Bay looks Hoylake after shooting 65 Audrey in her home state of conscious of in his work ‘linksy’ and should be a on the final day and more Virginia during a Nationwide with long-time coach pretty fun course.” recently, back-to- back (now Web.Com) Tour event Melbourne-based Denis “It’s not just one type top-tens at consecutive and the couple settled McDade is eradicating the of course I like playing on. World Golf Championship in Virginia Beach, close ‘big misses’, which might Generally the tough courses (WGC) events. to Audrey’s family and not show up so readily I like but having said that, I “I was really happy with network of friends. in the sea of statistical won at Hartford which has my year although a little “Everything we want is information the PGA TOUR one of the lowest winning disappointing that I didn’t there and it’s pretty easy to collect, and to be more scores on Tour every get that win, but it’s hard travel in and out of so it’s a consistent with his putting. year. I feel like I can adapt to win when you’re playing good spot.” he said. “There “I’m not a big stats reasonably well to different against the best players in aren’t a lot of golfers there man but I’ll look at them. courses” the world every week.” which isn’t a bad thing I think a lot of it is more The experience gained Leishman finished the for me either, because I where your misses are playing with Scott on that calendar year the No. generally don’t play a lot of and how bad they are. If fateful Sunday at Augusta 46 player in the world, golf on my weeks off.” you’re hitting two balls back in 2013 was one guaranteeing exemptions “I think I’m better off in the water every round Leishman filed into the into almost all the majors playing fresh than burned and hitting everything else memory bank and he said and WGC events in 2015. out and over golfed.” good, you’re not going to he was able to draw on Before he pondered Leishman will also do so well.” throughout the final round his schedule and any look to advance his “That’s what we’re at Hoylake. Leishman preparation for it, Leishman career without taking any working on: making carved out an eight birdie, was enjoying time in his inspiration from many of the my misses better, not one bogey 65 which OB Golf & Lifestyle Magazine hometown of Warrnambool current crop of players who disastrous”. incidentally, jumped him in Victoria to recharge the could easily be confused “(However) the big key into a tie for 5th place with batteries. as being athletes in other to winning tournaments is Scott. “I’ve just been taking sports as they are golfers. holing putts so hopefully I “The more experience it easy pretty much. We’ve For example, the top can have a good year with you can have, the better been taking the kids (young three players in the game the putter next year and it is. I don’t think you can sons Harvey and Oliver) at the moment: Rory give myself a few chances have ‘a’ bad experience, down the playground and McIlroy, Henrik Stenson they’re the times that you to win.” February / March 2015 to the beach so it’s been a and Adam Scott, are Courtesy of his top-50 learn from the most.” good break so far.” physically speaking, people world ranking at year’s end, Scott will continue on Leishman recently you wouldn’t fancy running Leishman was relishing his own quest to fulfil his turned 31 and is entering into in a dark alley at any the opportunity to set up own personal career goals a stage that traditionally time. All three are chiselled his schedule around the and the expectations of has been regarded as from some serious work majors and WGC events many, but you can bet your the ‘prime’ of a player’s in the gym but following where he is guaranteed a bottom dollar he will be fist career. As hard a worker their regimen is not start. Maintaining his place pumping in delight if his 91 as anyone, Leishman has something Leishman sees in the top-50 over the early mate Marc Leishman can also learned how best to as absolutely necessary, months of the year will also turn his recent momentum maximise his time and or overly enjoyable for that lock down a spot in the into victories and opportunities when he matter. U.S. Open, but Leishman particularly, major shows up for an event. “I’m not a gym junky is already looking forward championship While many players by any means…at all. I with some excitement success in the like to play and practice don’t spend anywhere near to the courses where year or years regularly when they’re away enough time in the gym as this year’s majors will be to come. from the Tour, Leishman’s I should but I do quite a bit staged. Paul Prendergast time off is just that: ‘off’. of stretching and try to stay On paper, most would www.golfplusmedia.com.au Nor does he live in somewhat in shape.” appear to suit the big .