Leishman feels 2020 can be major year

Wednesday, 8 January 2020:

MARC LEISHMAN.
MARC LEISHMAN.


Marc Leishman believes he can finally break through to win one of golf's majors this year, but first he'll aim to revive Australian fortunes on the US PGA Tour.

Leishman is one of five Aussies contesting this weeks' Sony Open in Hawaii, the first full-field event of 2020, trying to end their country's 15-month winless streak on the tour.

For world No.28 Leishman, Oahu's Waialae Country Club is a great place to start as it suits his shot-making game.

"I love this course and how much shot-shaping it requires in the wind," Leishman said.

The winner of four US tour titles, 36-year-old Leishman likes his chances of joining countrymen Adam Scott and Jason Day as a major champion in 2020.

Along with the Masters at Augusta National, this year's major venues are California's TPC Harding Park (US PGA Championship), New York's Winged Foot (US Open) and England's Royal St George's (British Open).

I really feel I can win a major, this year" Leishman said.

"If I can contend in at least two different majors on the Sunday afternoon, that will give me a good chance at getting one."

Joining Leishman in this week's tournament are countrymen Cameron Smith, Rhein Gibson, Matt Jones, Cameron Percy and Cameron Davis.

Smith has been tipped by for US Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger to be the stand-out Australian in 2020.

"Cameron Smith is going to have a monster year on the PGA Tour," Azinger said.

"He doesn't have any weakness in his game. More importantly, at the Presidents Cup he showed the heart and the moxie that it takes to be a champion on Tour."

All six Australians in the field have pledged to donate money to Australia's bushfire appeal based on birdies and eagles they make this week.

The PGA Tour has committed to match any figures raised by any player in the Sony Open field up to $US125,000.

The Sony Open will field 144 players including last week's Tournament of Champions winner Justin Thomas and defending champion Matt Kuchar.






AAP