Friday, 24 January 2020:
 | | MARC LEISHMAN | |
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Marc Leishman has continued his run of hot starts at Torrey Pines but is determined to finally hoist the trophy at the Farmers Insurance Open.
Leishman, who has twice been a bridesmaid at the event, battled severe fog at the end of his round to shoot himself into contention on day one at the famed San Diego course.
"We could only see 60 metres in front of us," Leishman said of the severe fog that blinded his final two holes on Thurday.
The world No.28 shot 68 on the North course at Torrey Pines and with Cameron Percy the Australians sit at four-under-par, just two shots behind the lead.
Unheralded Denmark golfer Sebastian Cappelen shot a 66 (South course) to share the first-round lead at six under with Keegan Bradley (North).
Superstar Rory McIlroy headlines nine players tied at five under and the Northern Irishman can go to world No.1 with a victory this week.
Tiger Woods (69) is well in the mix at three under and is chasing a record 83rd US PGA Tour victory.
Leishman shot his eighth opening round in the 60s from 12 starts at Torrey Pines to keep his hopes alive of a fifth PGA Tour win.
"My focus level is good and I'm hoping I can keep it up for three more days," said Leishman, who moves over to the South course for the rest of the tournament.
Leishman was joint runner-up at Torrey Pines in 2010 and 2014, while he owns two other top-10s.
But 36-year-old Leishman knows he will have to drive it long to remain in the mix on the brutish South course, which will host its second US Open next year.
Last year, the South course at Torrey Pines was the longest on the PGA Tour and has been lengthened 67 yards this year to measure 7765.
"My iron play and short game are always my strengths, but if you're not hitting fairways at Torrey Pines, you're not going to contend," he said.
