Marc Leishman dramatically ended a 9-month ‘Down Under’ drought on the PGA Tour in coming out on top in the Traveler’s Championship in Connecticut.
Just hours after fellow Australian Marcus Fraser lost a play-off in Germany and Leishman stormed to the front courtesy of a final round 62 in superb scoring conditions on the TPC Cromwell course.
Victory for Leishman finally ends a 9-month winless drought for Australian golfers on either the PGA or European Tour since Adam Scott captured last August’s WGC – Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio.
Leishman came from six strokes from behind heading to the last round to claim his maiden PGA Tour title.
His best results before travelling to Connecticut had been second in the 2009 BMW Championship and a similar place finish in the 2010 Farmer’s Insurance Open.
- Marc Leishman end 9-month Aussie success on PGA Tour with a maiden Tour success. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
“It was a great day and I said to my caddy we most probably had to get to 15-under par to have a chance but couldn’t quite get there,” said Leishman.
“But 14-under par is not bad to win my first tournament with a 62 is pretty amazing.
“I have been waiting some time for this moment and it’s fantastic, so I’m really happy.”
The 28-year old Victorian who resides in Virginia Beach earned a first prize cheque for $US 1.08m as well as a prize start in next year’s Masters.
He now joins the likes of Curtis Strange (1983), Paul Azinger (1989), Nick Price (1993) and boyhood hero Greg Norman (1995) with his name on the trophy.
And reigning Masters champion, Bubba Watson posted his best finish since being fitted with the fame green jacket in carding a final round 65 to share second place on 13-under par.
Watson had won the event in 2010.
