Leishman rides like the wind to claim Vic PGA title
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Marc Leishman has capped off a year of near-misses with a thrilling one-shot win in a windswept final round of the Victorian PGA Championship.
In wild conditions at Moonah Links, Leishman teed off on the 18th hole on Sunday tied for the lead with fellow Victorian Josh Younger at four under.
Leishman showed his wizardry with a birdie to set up victory, while Younger had to settle for a par and outright second place.
Victory broke a 17-year title drought on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australia for Leishman, who claimed the same event in 2008.
Leishman carded a four-over 76 on Sunday after earlier rounds of 71, 67 and 68, to finish at five under par.
Younger (70, 64, 73, 76) had the outright lead for much of the final round but also carded a four-over for the day.
Three other Australians – Adam Bland (74), Andrew Campbell (76) and Connor McDade (73) – and New Zealander Jimmy Zheng (71) were a stroke further back.
Leishman admitted he was relieved to be able to survive a gruelling final round in chilly, gusty conditions.
“It was a brutally tough day,” he said.
“I sort of knew it was going to be like that, (but) you hope you can shoot better than that.
“On days like this, obviously you know everyone’s going to be having bogeys and unfortunately I had a few early, but fought back and managed to birdie the last there, which was nice.”
Leishman’s victory completed a run of high finishes in recent times, including a tie for third at both the West Australian Open and the Australian PGA Championship, backing up his win earlier in the year at LIV Miami.
“I’m really happy to get a victory,” Leishman said.
“I’ve been playing well for the last, well, all year really. I’ve been hitting the ball great these last three weeks in Australia with not a whole lot to show for it results-wise, but it’s nice to walk away with a win here.”
His second Victorian PGA title lifts Leishman to second place on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.
He will now give some thought to possibly adding an event or two to his schedule in the second half of the year to push for the coveted No.1 spot.
The 42-year-old, a former Greg Norman Medal winner, is a six-time winner on the PGA Tour, and has also won an individual tournament with LIV Golf.
AAP
