Marc Leishman

Leishman recently broke through the $1.6 million mark in earnings for this season on the PGA Tour. His second place showing alongside Jim Furyk in the BMW Championship secured a spot in the US Masters and British Open. But more importantly, it’s given him the confidence that he belongs on the PGA Tour and a win is only just around the corner.

“I really had to pinch myself playing with Tiger Woods in the final round of the BMW,” the 25-year-old from Warrnambool told Inside Golf.

“It’s really what every pro golfer dreams about. I didn’t know what to expect, but he was great to play with.

“Being in that position was like a reward for the work I’ve put in the last six months.”

Leishman admits he’s more comfortable with his game than he’s ever been. Throughout this year he’s worked especially hard with his coach Denis McDade and caddy Matthew Kelly, a former trainee from Warrnambool Golf Club.

McDade, who has been with Leishman for the past nine years, has played a large part with his mental approach while Kelly has formed a close bond with his boss and helped provide support and encouragement.

Leishman believes in his ability and knows that it’s only a matter of time until he breaks through on the world’s most lucrative tour.

Earlier this year he’d run out of gas after two rounds. Now he knows he can take it up to the world’s best players until the last few holes of a championship.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt this confident with my game. A while back I would have just accepted a bad tournament and maybe missed the cut.

“Now I’m really grinding it out.

“I’m going into the last round of tournaments wanting to put in a great round so I can finish 30th instead of say 70th.

“The last few months I knew I was getting closer to getting four rounds together, but my new approach is really helping me.”

Leishman admits he’s worked hard to perform more consistently and has made a special effort with his short game. But he also knows that the work isn’t done and that his goals have now reached a new level as he begins to focus on the majors.

“It’s one thing to have a great week, but to do it week in week out is another thing. I feel like I’m there with my game. But I’m just going to continue to improve.

“At the start of this year it was all about keeping my card and doing my best. Now I’m looking to the majors.

“Denis (McDade) and I aren’t going to do too much different. We really approach every tournament the same.

“But to think I’ll be playing the US Masters is really exciting.”

Leishman is quick to put his success down to family and the members at Warrnambool Golf Club where there’s intense interest in his progress.

It’s not uncommon for Leishman to receive up to 30 emails from members every week, wishing him success in the next tournament.

“It’s great to have that support from back home. It really makes a difference. To know that I’m making people happy back home makes me happy too.”

Leishman has confirmed he’ll be back in Australia to contest the Australian Masters, Australian Open and Australian PGA in Queensland. And with Tiger Woods the major drawcard at Kingston Heath for the Australian Masters, he hopes to be teeing alongside the world number one on the final day.

“Playing alongside Tiger in any tournament is awesome. To play with him in the final round in front of a home crowd would be even better.

“Maybe that will play out. I’m certainly hope is does.”