While others complain, Leishman manages to solve Cog Hill

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Sep. 10, 2010
By Mike McAllister, PGATOUR.COM Managing Editor

LEMONT, Ill. -- Marc Leishman hasn't heard the complaints directly, but he knows what's being said by his fellow pros about Cog Hill. That the hot summer in Chicago has left some greens in less-than-desirable condition, difficult to figure out, inconsistent in spots, bumpy, slow.

For Leishman, that's music to his ears.

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Second-round coverage

IN THE MOMENT: If Charlie Wi gets impatient this week, all he has to do is look at his pin sheet to remind himself of two simple lessons. Story

FEDEXCUP WRAP-UP: Take a look at the latest FedExCup projections after the second round at Cog Hill. Story

AILING KUCHAR: The doctors don't know exactly what's wrong with Kuchar. The sick golfer isn't letting his illness stop him at Cog Hill, though. Story

While others issued veiled complaints, Leishman offered his own kind of statement -- a 6-under 65, the lowest round of the day, to move into third place after two rounds of the BMW Championship, one shot back of co-leaders Charlie Wi and Matt Kuchar.

With two rounds left at Cog Hill, the Australian would like nothing more than to see other players lose their focus because they're fighting the conditions instead of overcoming them.

"It sort of feels like you've got less players to beat because the guys that are complaining, they've already let it beat them," Leishman said. "I'm just putting on what we've been given. Everyone is playing on the same golf course, so that's the way I'm looking at it."

Several notable names have struggled this week to find the appropriate response when asked about the condition of the course, specifically the greens.

On Friday, Tiger Woods said, "Obviously with the summer heat, they kind of lost a few of these greens." Added Retief Goosen: "They've had a tough summer, you can see that. The course has suffered."

Phil Mickelson added diplomatically, "There's been some interesting things being said in the locker room."

Frank Jemsek, Cog Hill's owner, told reporters that he wished the players were saying good things about the golf course, but that "it's hard to fight the facts."

Leishman's wild day

Sometimes you need a little luck. Marc Leishman could count on a couple of big breaks en route to shooting a 6-under 65 on Friday.

Starting his round off the 10th tee, Leishman's opening drive landed about 100 yards from the pin ... and then hit a sprinkler head in the middle of the fairway, with the ball bouncing another 60 or so yards toward the green to set up a birdie.

"A good way to get started," he said.

Then at the par-3 second hole, with the tees moved up, Leishman hit his worst shot of the year, a thin 7-iron "that would have looked like a shank to anyone that didn't hear the noise," he said. His drive hit the trees on the right, but he managed to chip on the green and two-putt for bogey.

"It actually wasn't that bad of a bogey considering how bad the shot was," Leishman said. "It deserved about a 7."

Yet Leishman, as you might expect from someone whose 65 ties for his lowest round of his year, offered an alternate version of the putting conditions.

"It's not as bad as what everyone is making it out," Leishman said. "Every week we putt on perfect greens and when they're not quite perfect, it's not the end of the world."

Of course, Leishman should come to Cog Hill's defense. The course is one of his favorites, having treated him very well in the last two years.

A year ago, Leishman came to the BMW Championship ranked 67th in FedExCup points and needing a top-three finish to advance to THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola.

Lo and behold, he pulled it off, shooting four rounds in the 60s and tying for second. In the process, he got a bird's-eye view of Woods as his playing partner in the final round when Woods wrapped up the eight-shot victory.

This week, Leishman arrived at Cog Hill ranked 57th in points, again needing to make some noise in order to grab a spot in the 30-man field at East Lake.

"I think I have to finish fourth this year instead of outright third," Leishman said. Then he smiled: "It's easier this year."

The benefits of making THE TOUR Championship last year cannot be overstated for Leishman.

As the only rookie on TOUR to make it to East Lake, Leishman sealed the deal on the Rookie of the Year award with his run through the Playoffs.

Earning invites to the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open also allowed Leishman to set his schedule for the first time in his pro career.

And the confidence that he took away from his Cog Hill performance a year ago continues to pay dividends in his second year on TOUR. In his second start of 2010, he tied for second at the Farmers Insurance Open, and he has eight top-25 finishes in 23 starts.

But he has yet to taste victory at this level -- although he puts an asterisk on his tie for second a year ago.

"Although I didn't win last year, it sort of felt as if I did," Leishman said. "When I was leaving the course, I sort of felt as if I had won."

This year, he'd like to make it official.