Victorian Marc Leishman put on a tremendous display of golf over the final 36 holes of The 144th Open to earn a chance of victory in a playoff.

The Open Wrap – the Australian contingent and how they fared

Leishman recorded just one bogey in the last two rounds of The Open to post a tournament total of 15-under 273 and finish regulation play tied for the lead with Zach Johnson and Louis Oosthuizen.

The script was writing itself with Australian golf fans on the edge of their seats hoping Leishman, who contemplated giving up the game just months ago in the face off his wife’s life threatening illness, would be the first Australian since Greg Norman in 1993 to win the Claret Jug.

However an unlucky lie on the first playoff hole, which saw Leishman’s drive end in a divot, resulted in a bogey where his two opponents made birdies.

"I drove it straight into a divot which was pretty disappointing, especially with that pin and the burn right in front I had no chance of getting anywhere near it. That was about as good as I could have done and then I three putted," said Leishman.

"I was on the back foot as soon as I hit it in that divot and made the five on the first."

It was too much to overcome for the Victorian, who was aiming to win his first Major, and a further bogey at the 17^thsealed his fate as runner-up to Johnson the eventual champion.

"I am obviously pretty disappointed at the minute, having a chance to win it and not being able to take it out but that’s golf unfortunately," added Leishman.

"I gave it my best shot, Zach just played really well in the playoff and I didn’t have my best stuff there."

"I am happy don’t worry about that, I have just finished second in The Open, yes I could have won it but my perspective is quite good at the moment."

"I can go home tomorrow and hug Audrey (his wife) and the boys and celebrate a little bit I guess, it would have been nice to have a Claret Jug to drink out of but I will find something else," added Leishman.

It was a day of near misses for the Aussie contingent with Jason Day watching his birdie putt, to join the playoff, on the 18^thcome up short.

Day finished his Open campaign on 14-under 274 tied fourth with Jordan Spieth, who also looked destined for the playoff, until a bogey on the 17^th ended his hopes of winning the Major Grand Slam.  

For Adam Scott it felt like déjà vu, the Queenslander was well in contention, bogey free and 6-under after 10 holes.

But a horrible run coming home, which saw Scott drop five shots in five holes, ended his hopes and had him finish in a share of 10^thon 10-under 278.

"It’s hard to digest it all at the moment," Scott following his round.

"I probably needed a really good back nine and I had a really poor back nine. I feel like I wasn’t even in it at that moment.""I’m disappointed the way I played the last five holes for sure. I could have done a lot better than that."

Marcus Fraser was next best of the Aussies on 7-under the card and in a share of 20^th, he was closely followed by Matt Jones and Steven Bowditch on 6-under 282.

Scott Arnold closed his Major debut in style, firing 6-under 66 in the final round to catapult himself up the leaderboard into tied 40^thon 5-under the card. He was joined by John Senden and Geoff Ogilvy.

Greg Chalmers was the next best of the Aussies finishing on 3-under 285 and tied 58^th while Brett Rumford rounded out the Australian contingent in a tied for 74^th with an even par championship.

The Open was another strong performance from the Australians on the world stage.

"Australian Professional golfers continue to shine on the world stage, having three Aussies finish in the top-10 and four in the top-20 is a phenomenal effort and is a testament to the quality of the game, coaching and junior programs we have in Australia." said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia.

"It was wonderful to see Marc play so well, particularly in the face of everything he has dealt with in his personal life."

"A Claret Jug would have been tremendous reward for his performance this week, it wasn’t to be, but I am sure a Major victory is not far off for him."

Related Links

News / The Open Wrap 21.07.15
Official World Golf Rankings / Leishman jumps up 34 places 21.07.15

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