LIV Golf star Mark Leishman has revealed he’s changed one aspect of his game compared to his last outing at The Grange in Adelaide.
Greg Norman’s breakaway league has headed back Down Under after a highly successful 2023 event.
Japanese talent Jinichiro Kozuma leads the way after carding an impressive nine-under 63. Some of LIV’s big names sit slightly further adrift.
Bryson DeChambeau is on four-under alongside home crowd favourite Cameron Smith. John Rahm, who is making his first LIV Gold Adelaide appearance, is one shot better off.
Mark Leishman sheds light on impressive opening round at LIV Golf Adelaide
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Another Aussie who appears to be enjoying himself in the country’s most southern state is Mark Leishman.
The 40-year-old, who has six PGA Tour wins to his name, shot a first round of 67 to sit four shots back of the lead.
Speaking after his round, Leishman revealed that he was looking to be far more aggressive compared to how he was in 2023.
“I changed my course management a little bit this year compared to last year,” Leishman told LIV Golf’s official website.
“I was a bit too conservative, I think, and changed that because there are so many birdies out there.”
Low scores during the first round in Adelaide should be concern for LIV Golf stars
There were plenty of low scores during the first round in Adelaide on Friday, and it does raise questions about just how prepared players will be for when they compete in the major championships.
Of course, Norman and Co want entertainment. Eagles, birdies and the odd hole-in-one are all required to grow the Saudi-backed venture. But playing once a month on relatively easy tracks can’t be good preparation for, let’s say, the U.S. Open at the fierce Pinehurst No.2 – which takes place in just a matter of months.
One only needs to take a glance at the final Masters leaderboard to find the top five are all PGA Tour players. Dechambeau and Smith were the best-performing LIV stars. The former fell away badly in the final two rounds.
Keeping a close eye on how these guys get on next month at Valhalla will be intriguing.
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