Two months after playing the Thursday comp in Warrnambool, local golf hero earns $6.6 million for US victory

There has been a “real buzz” around Warrnambool Golf Club since hometown gun Marc Leishman won the LIV Golf title at the Miami tournament at Trump National Doral on Monday morning Australian time.

“All of our members support and have watched Marc’s progress for all of his career, and it’s always the talk of the town down at the club,” club general manager Marc Tims told the West Vic Brolga.

The Leishman family has maintained a strong connection with Warrnambool and the club, most recently in February to play in the Thursday competition.

“Marc comes down at any opportunity to spend some time with his family down in Warrnambool and he always plays in the local comp and interacts with our members,” Tims said. “That’s the way he gives back to the club, it really puts Warrnambool on the map internationally.” 

The GM said “we love to have him back at the golf club”, and that after a round Leishman would “chat to old mates and members and have a beer with the locals”.

“He’s a really down to earth type of bloke. He’s a local legend, a top bloke, he gets around and supports the club, and always comes back to his roots.”

Monday’s result marks Leishman’s first tournament win in four years, making the one-shot victory even more rewarding for the 41-year-old, who came out on top after playing the only round without a bogey for the week, with a 4-under 68 to finish at 6 under. 

“I wanted this one pretty bad, especially having a two-shot lead teeing off 18,” said Leishman, who lives in Virginia Beach in the US. “Probably the worst hole in the world to have – two shots is nothing on that hole.”

The 473-yard, par four 18th has been named by Golf Magazine as one of the 100 Top Holes in the world, and is notoriously challenging.

Leishman made his professional debut in 2005 and won the PGA Rookie of the Year award in 2009.

He will earn US$4 million (A$6.6 million) for the win in Miami.