Marc Leishman is ready for a huge month of golf that represents the best chance of his career to win a PGA Championship and US Open but he may have to get past his friend and fellow Aussie Cameron Smith to do it.
Key points:
- Marc Leishman hopes the windy conditions at Kiawah Island will play into his hands at the PGA Championship
- He and fellow Aussie Cameron Smith are in good form ahead of the year’s second major tournament
- The pair won the Zurich Classic together last month, but both are still chasing their maiden major victory
Leishman has had 2021’s majors circled on the calendar for some time knowing that Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course and San Diego’s Torrey Pines are two venues he can conquer in the two majors he’s notoriously struggled with.
While Leishman has contended at both the Masters (three top 15s) and the British Open (three top 6s), he’s found the going much tougher at the other majors.
In 10 previous PGA Championships, his best is a tie for 12th in 2013 and he has just one top-25 finish from nine US Open starts.
But fresh off a sixth PGA Tour win in New Orleans with Smith, Leishman can’t wait to turn the tables on history.
His confidence stems from the fact the Ocean Course presents a hard, fast and windy coastal challenge, the type of golf Leishman thrives in, while he’s already a proven winner at Torrey Pines.
“As far as the PGA Championship and US Open, I don’t usually give myself a realistic chance to win but with these courses available I put a target on them a long time ago and it’s nice to be coming in with some form,” Leishman said.
“It’s nice to have a PGA Championship course where I can turn up and think I have a real chance despite the fact its 156 great players in the field.
“I’d say it is the best chance I’ll get in my career to win one of these so hopefully I can get myself close when it’s on the line Sunday.”
Leishman has earned a reputation as a great wind player a skill developed in his hometown of Warrnambool with several other stars watching him hit balls on the range at Kiawah during a windy practice day to perhaps garner some secrets.
Marc Leishman contended at the Masters this year, and fancies his chances at the Ocean Course.(AP: Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution
)
But the 37-year-old knows tournaments aren’t won on reputation.
“It’s good that I’ve earned that reputation and with windy and firm conditions with no rain expected this week, I’m excited,” he said.
“But experience has taught me I can’t just expect to play well if it’s windy. I have to be in the right mindset and make sure there’s no complacency.
“I know we all start on zero and I have to earn this but I’m ready for the challenge.”
‘Form is a myth’ for confident Smith
Smith is full of confidence as he prepares to tackle the Ocean Course, as the world number 25’s popularity continues to grow along with his infamous and self-described “filthy” mullet.
He ranks 11th on the US PGA Tour this season in strokes gained around the greens and is 14th in putting, plus his last start was a victory alongside Leishman.
Cameron Smith is chasing his first career major.(AP: David J. Phillip
)
But he says form doesn’t really matter when 99 of the top 100 players in the world are in the field.
“Form is a myth. It doesn’t exist,” Smith said.
“It’s a fresh start every week in golf. It’s a new challenge every day, so it’s all about how you handle that day to day.
“There is not much that has to go right for anyone in the top 100 to win.
“They are the best players in the world for a reason and if they have a good week they’re going to be tough to beat.
“But the bottom line is I know I can hit the shots that need to be played and when you execute those the results come.
“I just hope it stays firm and the wind gets up. I play my best golf when I can be creative and this course demands that. I can’t wait to give it a red-hot crack.”
AAP