‘Test': Aussie star rejects LIV theory

Perth Now

a day ago

Marc Leishman is adamant that playing on the LIV tour is good preparation for golf's four majors as he steels himself for the tough challenge of a US Open next week.
For the first time since 2022, Leishman will compete in a major after qualifying for the tournament, which is being played at the Oakmont Country Club in Texas.
It took Leishman 38 holes – including two playoff holes – in a single day earlier this week at Woodmont Country Club in Maryland to secure US Open qualification.
'It's an experience I'd probably rather not have to deal with … 38 holes in a day isn't the easiest, but I'm just happy to have it be worthwhile,' the 41-year-old Victorian said.
'Coming off a month off, get some competitive rounds under the belt and play under a little bit of pressure … I'm happy to gain some confidence out of it and hit some good shots when I really need to.' Marc Leishman has qualified for next week's US Open. Michael Klein Credit: News Corp Australia
Before the US Open, Leishman will further hone his game in the LIV Golf Virginia event this week at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
Critics of the 14-event LIV tour have suggested its three-round, no-cut, 54-hole format doesn't properly prepare players for the tough mental test of a four-round, 72-hole major.
However, Leishman – who will join fellow Australians Cameron Smith, Jason Day, Adam Scott, Min Woo Lee and Cam Davis in the US Open field – disagreed.
'The way our schedule is set up actually lends itself to being able to prepared very well for the majors,' said Leishman, a member of LIV's Ripper GC team alongside Smith, Lucas Herbert and Matt Jones.
'We're playing against great fields every single week on tough golf courses. Yes, it's 54 holes, but it puts a bit of pressure on that first round to get off to a good start because they are a little bit more of a sprint.
'We're still playing a lot of golf, away from tournaments, enjoying golf more, and when you are enjoying your golf and it's not so much of a grind, that lends itself to better play.
'I prepared for the (US Open) qualifier which I normally wouldn't have been able to do, I'd be preparing for other tournaments.
'I'm happy with the way the schedule is, and the way you can lead into majors.
'I want to test myself against the best players, and we do that in the LIV events. Yes, there are no cuts, but once you get to the end of the tournament and it's `I win or you win', you're not even thinking about that, all that stuff.
'You want to get yourself into that pressure cooker and test yourself under the most immense pressure and see if you can handle it.
'That's why I do it. Whether I'm playing the Victorian PGA or the LIV Miami (event,), I want to try to win.'
And having won the LIV Miami event in April, Leishman was confident he could be among the US Open contenders next week. Leishman (left) celebrates his LIV Miami win with his caddie Matthew Kelly. Montana Pritchard/LIV Golf Credit: Supplied
'Golf's a funny game, and you need a lot of stuff to go right on the right weeks, particularly the major weeks,' he said.
'I've never treated them any different to the event I'm playing this week, or the Australian PGA, or whatever it might be,
'I just prepare the way I prepare, and hope that I've got my good stuff on the right week, and sometimes even if you do have your good stuff and you make the putts, and you get a couple of lucky breaks, someone can still go crazy and beat you.
'You need a lot of stuff to go right, but definitely I feel like my game is probably as good as it's ever been, my mindset is as good as it's ever been, and hopefully I can get the breaks and come out on top.
'It's a long tournament, there are a lot of unbelievable players, and I just hope I can give myself a chance to be in contention (in the fourth and final round) and test myself.'