Marc Leishman brings an impressive record to this week’s DEAN & DELUCA Invitational and after an encouraging performance at the Byron Nelson will be on to watch at Colonial Country Club.

In six previous appearances Leishman has never missed the cut at the famed course known as ‘Hogan’s Alley’ and posted his career best finish here in 2016 when T13.

The laid back Victorian has been at less than his best since winning his second PGA TOUR title at March’s Arnold Palmer Invitational but showed signs of good form at TPC Las Colinas last week.

Leishman finished just outside the top-10 last week on the back of making an impressive 19 birdies over the 72 holes and some minor tightening up of his game could well see him a threat this week.

On current form he appears the man most likely among the 10 strong Australian contingent though rookie Curtis Luck could well find the layout to his liking.

The impressive 21-year-old makes his third PGA TOUR appearance since turning Professional at a venue where the legendary Ben Hogan won five times.

Colonial favours no particular style of player but rather rewards creative shotmaking and a stellar short game, two of Luck’s strengths.

Also teeing off Thursday US time are Aaron Baddeley, Cameron Percy, Matt Jones, Geoff Ogilvy, Steven Bowditch, Rod Pampling, Greg Chalmers and Cameron Smith.

Of those, Jones will be particularly motivated having missed last week’s cut by a single stroke after making bogey at his 36th hole.

With limited playing opportunities in 2017 having lost his card last year they are mistakes he can ill afford and having played some decent golf this year he will be keen to make amends.

Jones has missed only two weekends in eight starts since January and presently sits 133^rd on the FedEx Cup points list.

If he can climb into the top-125 by season’s end he will claim back his full playing rights for 2018 and despite a scratchy record at this event knows he needs to produce the goods this week.

Cameron Percy is in similar position to Jones in terms of status and access to tournaments and he, too, is hovering near the top-125.

Like Jones he missed the cut last week, his second in a row, and while he has played well in patches in 2017 hasn’t yet put together a string of good finishes.

Surprisingly, this will be Percy’s first start at the tournament and represents an excellent opportunity.