Atlanta, GA …

World No. 1 Dustin Johsnon singled out Marc Leishman for special praise ahead of this week’s PGA Tour 2016/17 season-concluding Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Johnson returns to East Lake course with bitter-sweet memories sharing the lead on day, leading on day two and in a tie for the lead with a round to play but only to shoot a disappointing last day 73 and watch from the clubhouse as Rory McIlroy defeated his good friend, Kevin Chappell with a birdie at the first extra hole.

Dustin Johnson at 2017 Tour Championship (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

But while McIlroy failed to qualify to defend the gleaming trophy, Johnson now has four other players including Leihsman to handle over the four days of the fourth straight and final $US 8.5m Play-Off Series event.

Leishman brilliantly muscled his way to success with his wire-to-wire victory accomplishment last Sunday in capturing the BMW Championship.

Leishman’s second success this year lifted above Adam Scott on the World Rankings to a career high of No. 15 in the world and into fourth place on the FedEx Cup standings.

Just three players – Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Johnson – stand in Leishman’s way of joining Scott (2006) as only the second Australian to capture the Tour Championship victory double.

And from what Johnson saw of the Warrnambool golfing wonder last week in the Windy City the game’s current best knows he will be looking not only at his two compatriots ahead of him on the standings but also keeping an eye on his rear-view mirror at a bearded Aussie.

“Marc’s win was a good win, he played well, but Marc’s a good player,” said Johnson.

“It’s definitely not surprising. But yeah, it was a good win and played well four rounds in a row.

“It was an impressive win for sure but I would not say surprising given how well he has played all season winning the Arnold Palmer and then leading with a round to play the week before the BMW in Boston.”