On The Marc

Australian Marc Leishman clinches his fourth PGA Tour title at the $7 million CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur with an emphatic ve-stroke margin

- Rohit Bhardwaj

CHANGE OF GRASS, humid conditions with constant threat of rains and a field consisting of former champions Justin Thomas, Ryan Moore and Pat Perez had no binding on Australia’s Marc Leishman, who went on to become the first-time winner of the $7 million CIMB Classic being staged at TPC Kuala Lumpur. Leishman carded a scintillating seven-under 65 in the final round to break away from an overnight three-way tie involving Gary Woodland of the U.S. and Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity standings leader Shubhankar Sharma of India.

With a 72-hole total of 26-under 262, Leishman tied the lowest tournament tally posted by Justin Thomas in the 2015 edition, ever since the PGA Tour event moved from the Mines Resort & Golf Club to TPC Kuala Lumpur in 2014.

This was the Australian’s fourth PGA Tour trophy in 27 starts, and first since his dominating BMW Championship victory last year; thus, ending an all-American stranglehold upon the CIMB Classic in the nine editions staged till date.

The 34-year-old got off to a hot start firing four consecutive birdies from Hole 2 to 5. He picked up another double on the ninth and 10th holes. By this time, Leishman had moved to 25-under par, three strokes ahead of group mates Woodland and Sharma.

The Australian’s only blemish came at the par-4 13th. But he soon recovered, sinking a birdie on Hole 16. When Leishman arrived on the 18th green to loud roars from the crowd, he had already built a massive five-stroke lead over his closest competitors Bronson Burgoon and Chesson Hadley of the U.S. besides Argentine Emiliano Grillo.

The six-foot putt for birdie ended all anxiety and ended Leishman’s yearlong wait for his fourth PGA Tour crown.