Australia’s hopes at the upcoming US Open have received a significant boost as Marc Leishman has successfully qualified for a major tournament for the first time in nearly three years. Leishman, a well-known figure in the LIV Golf circuit, showcased his skills in a nail-biting playoff at Woodmount Country Club in Maryland, securing one of the two coveted spots available. This remarkable feat means he will be joining fellow Australian golfing stars Cameron Smith, Jason Day, Min Woo Lee, Adam Scott, and Cam Davis, all set to represent Australia at Oakmont. Known as ‘golf’s longest day’, Leishman performed admirably, carding a seventy followed by a sixty-nine in the grueling thirty-six-hole qualifier. His journey culminated in a tense playoff against Bryan Lee and Sebastian Munoz, with Munoz falling short after bogeying the second playoff hole. Rather than risking a similar fate, Leishman played it smart, ensuring he parred both playoff holes to secure his spot. This appearance marks a significant return for the forty-one-year-old golfer, who last competed in a major at the 2022 Open Championship before transitioning to LIV Golf. His recent performance at the Australian Open, where he finished tied for third, also earned him a place in the upcoming Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. However, the day was not without disappointment for other prominent golfers. Max Homa and Rickie Fowler faced a tough challenge at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club in Ohio, where they were unable to secure a spot in the US Open, losing out in a five-way playoff to Cameron Young. Homa, who went viral for carrying his own bag after parting ways with his caddie, struggled under the fatigue of carrying his equipment for thirty-six holes, ultimately finishing tied for third with a score of minus five. Fowler, also feeling the pressure, will miss his second major of the year after skipping The Masters earlier. Both players were forced to qualify due to their standings outside the top sixty in the Official World Golf Rankings. Homa’s candid remarks about playing without a caddie revealed his mindset through this challenging period, expressing a sense of liberation in solitude while also battling personal demons. As the excitement mounts for the US Open, all eyes will be on Leishman and his fellow Australians as they aim to make their mark on golf’s biggest stage.
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