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Marc Leishman out to avenge playoff defeat at last season's THE CJ CUP

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - OCTOBER 14: Marc Leishman of Australia acknowledges the crowd on the 18th hole during the final round of the CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur on October 14, 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - OCTOBER 14: Marc Leishman of Australia acknowledges the crowd on the 18th hole during the final round of the CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur on October 14, 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

The Aussie's Korean roots trace back to his time on the Korean Tour



    Marc Leishman comments before THE CJ CUP


    Marc Leishman may be a proud Australian, but he’s also had his share of success in South Korea. He returns there for this week’s CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES on the heels of a win last week in Malaysia.

    The Korean Tour was the first official circuit Leishman played after turning pro in 2005. He played 10 events in 2006, including a victory at the Jisan Resort Open. His first-round 61 set a tour record.

    Last year, he finished second in the PGA TOUR’s first official event in South Korea, falling in a sudden-death playoff to Justin Thomas.

    Leishman’s experience in South Korea can only help as he tries to follow last week’s win in the CIMB Classic. He tied the tournament scoring record en route to a five-shot win at TPC Kuala Lumpur. It was his fourth career win and third in the past three seasons.

    “I would just point at something and that’s what I would eat. That was probably the hardest thing for someone like me, who likes food,” Leishman said. “Playing in the Korean Tour did help me. Playing on courses that are so narrow really teaches you to hit the ball straighter and handle the pressure. Obviously, winning golf tournaments, which I managed to win one up here, was a great memory and a really good experience for me.”

    This week’s venue, The Club at Nine Bridges, is different than those claustrophobic courses he played during his days on the Korean Tour. Nine Bridges is a long, modern venue with wide fairways. Last season, they were the third-easiest to hit on TOUR (72.4 percent).

    While the affable Aussie is relaxed after last week’s win, the memory of his loss to Thomas last year surely serves as motivation. Leishman lost on the second playoff hole after hitting it into the water.

    The strong start on the heels of a career year in 2016-17 did not translate to further success, either.

    He went winless last season after winning two big events in 2016-17, the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard and BMW Championship. Leishman did play well enough to qualify for this year’s TOUR Championship, though.

    That goal isn’t enough for him anymore. He wants to win the FedExCup and will have a chance to take hold of top spot early on this season with a good effort this week.

    He currently sits just 31 points behind Safeway Open winner Kevin Tway.

    “Getting off to such a good start to the year obviously here and up until probably the (AT&T) Byron Nelson I played really well and then I kind of cooled off a little bit, so that was a little frustrating,” he said of last season. “It was certainly a goal of mine to win this season and to win my first event of the year is great.”

    The win allows Leishman to “focus more on winning for the rest of the season” and opens up a family trip to Maui for the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

    He also now leads the International Team standings for the Presidents Cup to be held in his native Australia next year. Leishman is desperate to play under his childhood idol Ernie Els in his hometown Melbourne.

    The win in Malaysia was built off some stellar putting (he needed just 102 putts for the week) but also a dialed in approach game. He intends to try to ride the momentum.

    “The difference was I was hitting it a lot closer to the hole,” Leishman said of his CIMB Classic efforts. “I know I had very few putts, I only had 25, 26 putts a round, but I think if we had strokes gained putting last week, it wouldn't have been as impressive as the iron play numbers.

    “I had a lot of birdie putts from eight foot and in, which is nice when you're feeling good over the putter. Hoping I can continue that trend.

    “Hopefully, I can play well again and do one better than last year.”

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