Marc Leishman: A Brief Biography
Marc Leishman's Early Life and Background
Marc Leishman, born on October 24, 1983, in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, is a professional golfer known for his golf course skills and achievements in various tournaments. Leishman's early life was marked by a passion for sports, particularly golf, and he began playing the game at a young age.
Growing up in Australia, Leishman developed his golfing skills on local courses before making a mark on the amateur circuit. His talent and dedication to the sport led him to pursue a professional career in golf. In 2001, Leishman decided to move to the United States to further his golfing ambitions. His breakthrough came in 2009 when he won the Travelers Championship, securing his first victory on the PGA Tour.
Marc Leishman's Amateur Golf Career
Marc Leishman's journey from an amateur to a professional golfer was marked by notable achievements in various facets of the sport:
In his early years, Leishman emerged as a standout junior golfer in Australia, claiming victory in prestigious tournaments such as the Victorian Boys Championship. This early success laid the foundation for a promising career.
Upon earning a golf scholarship, Leishman attended the University of Virginia, where he left an indelible mark on the men's golf team. Across his college tenure, he secured All-American honors four times and notched six tournament victories, showcasing his prowess at the collegiate level.
Leishman's prowess extended to amateur championships, where he reached the pinnacle as the runner-up in the 2004 Australian Amateur Championship and made a commendable run to the quarterfinals of the 2004 U.S. Amateur Championship.
Even before turning professional, Leishman tested his skills in the realm of professional golf.
Marc Leishman's Professional Career
Marc Leishman had a successful amateur career in Australia, winning many junior tournaments, including the Victorian Junior Masters, the South Australian Junior Masters, and the Victorian Boys Championship. He turned professional in 2005 and played on the Von Nida Tour in 2006, winning two tournaments and topping the merit order. In 2007, he played his rookie season on the Nationwide Tour and finished 92nd on the money list. He won his first title on the Nationwide Tour in 2008 at the WNB Golf Classic by a record-equaling eleven shots. He finished 19th on the money list and earned his PGA Tour card for the 2009 season.
In 2009, Leishman was voted the Rookie of the Year after recording three top-10 finishes, which included a runner-up finish behind Tiger Woods at the BMW Championship. He subsequently qualified for the season-ending Tour Championship and finished the year 53rd on the money list. He finished in the top 100 on the money list in 2010 and 2011 and reached the BMW Championship in both seasons.
Leishman won his first PGA Tour tournament in June 2012 at the Travelers Championship, coming from six strokes behind the 54-hole leaders to win by a stroke. He shot a final round of 62, which included eight birdies and no bogeys, to match his career-best round and become the second Australian to win the event after Greg Norman in 1995.
In 2013, Leishman co-led the opening round of the Masters Tournament with Sergio García, shooting a six-under total of 66. He maintained his challenge over the second and third rounds to go into the final day two strokes behind the leaders and finished T-4 with Tiger Woods, four shots off the lead. In July 2015, Leishman finished as joint runner-up at The Open Championship at St Andrews after losing in a four-hole aggregate playoff during a Monday finish to the delayed tournament.
On 19 March 2017, Leishman won his second PGA Tour event, the Arnold Palmer Invitational. On 17 September 2017, he claimed his third PGA Tour event, the BMW Championship, with a tournament record of -23. In October 2018, he won the CIMB Classic by five strokes, shooting a 7-under 65 in the final round, and equalled Justin Thomas' tournament record of 26-under-par in 2015 on the TPC Kuala Lumpur West course.
Leishman represented the International team at the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia, where the US team won 16-14. He went 1-2-2 and halved his Sunday singles match against Rickie Fowler. In January 2020, he won the Farmers Insurance Open for his fifth PGA Tour title, coming from behind to defeat Jon Rahm by one stroke.
In April 2021, he won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, partnering with countryman Cameron Smith. The duo won in a playoff over Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel. He also competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, held in July/August 2021, in the men's competition, finishing 51st.
In August 2022, it was announced that Leishman had joined LIV Golf.
Marc Leishman's Playing Style
Leishman's playing style is a testament to his versatility and comprehensive skill set on the golf course. Hailing from Australia, Leishman has carved out a distinguished career by showcasing a balanced approach covering every aspect of the game.
One of Leishman's playing style's standout features is his driving proficiency. His ability to navigate the course with powerful and accurate drives sets the stage for his overall performance. Whether finding the fairway with precision or gaining a strategic advantage off the tee, Leishman's command over his drives is critical to his success.
In addition to his prowess off the tee, Leishman exhibits a remarkable skill in iron play. His approach shots are marked by a combination of accuracy and distance control, allowing him to position himself for scoring opportunities consistently. This precision in iron play reflects technical proficiency and a deep understanding of the nuances of each course he encounters.
Regarding the short game, Leishman is known for his finesse on the greens. His putting skills are honed to navigate the undulating surfaces of various golf courses, showcasing a delicate touch crucial for sinking those critical putts. This proficiency in the short game underscores his well-rounded capabilities as a golfer.
Beyond the technical aspects, Leishman's playing style is characterized by a strategic mindset. He approaches each round with a thoughtful game plan, adapting to different course conditions and strategically navigating challenges.
Marc Leishman's Caddie
Marc Leishman and Matt Kelly are Australians who have known each other for over 12/13 years. They became friends as teenagers while bonding over their shared love of golf. They are both from the same city, Warrnambool, in Victoria, Australia. Kelly's father, Terry, introduced him to golf when he was only seven.
Kelly shared his experience by saying, "I became good enough to look like I knew what I was doing. I would spend every day after school and school holidays at the golf course. We grew up in a tiny town so that they would drop me off there, and it was like a built-in babysitter. I could be entertained on the golf course all day."
Marc Leishman's Golf Journey
Marc Leishman made his debut as a full member of the PGA Tour in 2009 and had an impressive first season. He finished in three Top 10s, qualified for all four FedEx Cup playoff tournaments, and won the Rookie of the Year award.
Over the years, Leishman became a consistent and steadily improving player on the PGA Tour. After joining the tour, he earned his first victory (2012 Travelers Championship) in his 96th start. He won five more PGA Tour tournaments: the 2017 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, the 2017 BMW Championship, the 2018 CIMB Classic, the 2020 Farmers Insurance Open, and the 2021 Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Leishman has participated in 45 Majors and finished runner-up in The Open Championship in 2015. He also has five other Top 10 finishes.
Leishman joined LIV Golf in the inaugural edition of the circuit and played in all 13 individual tournaments plus the Team Championship in the 2023 season. He had six Top 20s and three Top 10s, including a second-place finish at LIV Golf Chicago, his year's best result. He finished the season ranked 18th with 78 points, while his team, Rippers GC, finished in seventh place.
Leishman has also played on the DP World Tour, although to a lesser extent. Between 2007 and 2021, he played 77 tournaments there, making 59 cuts. He has one victory (2015 Nedbank Golf Challenge) and 15 Top 10s as his best results in the European circuit.
Marc Leishman's Majors
Sl. No. | Tournaments | Years |
1. | Masters Tournament | T4 (2013) |
2. | U.S. Open | T14 (2022) |
3. | PGA Championship | T12 (2013) |
4. | The Open Championship | T2 (2015) |
Marc Leishman's Net Worth
Marc Leishman is a competitive golfer from Australia who has amassed a fortune of $12 million. He was born in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia in October 1983. In 2009, he became the first Australian golfer to receive the PGA Tour's Rookie of the Year Award, as reported by Forbes.
Throughout his 14-year career, Leishman has earned $35,080,326 in prize money, averaging $2,698,487 annually. As of 2022, his earnings for the year thus far stand at $1,879,060. His most financially successful year was 2016-17, earning $5,866,391, according to Golfweek.
Marc Leishman's Ventures
Leishman has collaborated with various companies for endorsements. He has been using Callaway golf clubs since 2010 and remains a Callaway staff player. In 2018, he became a Lexus ambassador and appeared in several luxury car brand ad campaigns. Before switching to Callaway, he was a Titleist staff player and used their golf balls and equipment. Since 2018, Leishman has been an Australian online travel agency Webjet ambassador and a spokesperson for the famous Australian breakfast cereal Weet-Bix since 2013. In 2017, he became an ambassador for Amstel beer in Australia. Additionally, he has supported Vision 2020 Australia, a nonprofit organization that aims to eliminate avoidable blindness and vision loss in Australia. These are some of the significant endorsements that Leishman has had over the years, as per Forbes.
Marc Leishman's Assets
Currently, there is no information about Marc Leishman’s Assets.
Marc Leishman's Family
Marc Leishman's parents are Paul Leishman and Pelita Leishman. Not much is known about them, but it's clear from interviews and their unexpected visit at the 2021 World Golf Championships—FedEx St. Jude Invitational that they have significantly impacted his golf career and success.
Marc Leishman's Wife
On April 23, 2010, Marc Leishman and Audrey Hills were married in a church located in Virginia. Audrey, originally from Naples, Italy, was raised in Virginia. She earned her psychology degree from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States.
In April 2015, five years after the couple's marriage, Audrey became gravely ill; medical professionals suspected sepsis. But it also turned out that Audrey had toxic shock syndrome, a rare and sometimes fatal side effect of several bacterial infections.
Marc Leishman's Cars
Currently, there is no information about Marc Leishman’s cars.
FAQ's On Marc Leishman
A. Marc Leishman lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.
A. Yes, Marc Leishman married Audrey Hills.
A. Yes, Marc Leishman has won five PGA Tour events.
A. Marc Leishman has attracted several sponsorships for his golf career. He is endorsed by Callaway Golf, Lexus, Webjet, Weet-Bix, Amstel, and Vision 20 Australia.
A. Marc Leishman's caddie is Matt Kelly.