Australian Marc Leishman proves he’s not easily fazed after scoring an astonishing second round at the LIV golf tournament despite an encounter with a snake… setting up a $6 million payday.
- Leishman has a two-stroke advantage in the LIV event
- Aussie encounters a rattlesnake on the course
- He is looking for a 14th career pro win.
Marc Leishman finds himself in a rare and prime position after claiming a two-shot lead going into the final round of the LIV Golf event in Arizona, where he had an encounter with a rattlesnake.
The Australian first-round leader opened with an eagle and shot a five-under 66 at The Gallery GC on Saturday to reach 11-under, but he has two big winners breathing down the back of his neck.
Sergio Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, came in second after a 65 with 2010 British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen (68), a shot further back and level with Cameron Tringale, Charles Howell and Brendan Steele.
The imposing Victorian home has also had to deal with wildlife, crossing its path with a deadly rattlesnake during the television broadcast.
Leishman hasn’t had many opportunities in recent years to enter the final round of a golf tournament as a solo leader and he’s determined to make the most of his last chance.
The first-round leader Aussie opened with an eagle and shot a five-under 66 at The Gallery GC on Saturday to reach 11-under but has two big winners breathing down the back of his neck.
“There have been a few here and there,” the 39-year-old said. But it’s been a year or two.
“Obviously you play early in the tournament to try to put yourself in a good position, and I’ve played well enough to do my first part of the job.”
But there’s probably more than half the job to do tomorrow.
Seeking a 14th career pro win, Leishman admitted he had grown used to letting a tough stretch ruin his round, but he only missed one shot on Saturday.
“I got off to a really good start, then I cooled off on the back nine,” said Leishman, who was 4 below for his round of eight holes.
But I didn’t let it slip away.
Leishman’s compatriot Matt Jones racked up eight birdies but also a double bogey and two bogeys to tie for tenth, six shots off the lead.
Australia’s world number 5 Cameron Smith (70) was well out of the singles title picture, tied for 34th in the 48-man field, 10 shots behind Leishman.
Leishman hasn’t had many opportunities in recent years to enter the final round of a golf tournament as a solo leader and he’s determined to make the most of his last chance.
Seeking a 14th career pro win, Leishman admitted he had grown used to letting a rough stretch ruin his round, but he missed just one shot on Saturday.
Fellow Australian Jed Morgan was tied for 45th with five out of 74.
The Australian team, Ripper, was third in the team competition under 17 years old, counting the scores of Leishman, Jones and Smith, five shots behind Garcia’s leading Fireballs.
Garcia, whose last win anywhere was at Mississippi more than two years ago, might have been even closer to Leishman had he not missed a two-foot putt for par at 16.