Marc Leishman moved into contention at the European Tour’s season-opening Australian PGA Championship on Friday, carding a 68 to sit just two shots behind surprise leader Brett Rankin at Royal Queensland.
The Australian, a six-time winner on the US Tour, battled through a roller-coaster second round, mixing five birdies with four bogeys. Leishman showcased his skill with a long chip-in eagle on the par-five seventh, keeping him firmly in the hunt.
“I’ve won big tournaments before, so I know how to win,” said the 42-year-old. “I feel like I’m doing everything I can and playing well. Hopefully, I can execute on the weekend and get over the line.”
Leishman now sits at seven-under 135, trailing Rankin, who endured a grueling 27-hole stretch in Brisbane’s heat and humidity after Thursday’s opening round was cut short by a storm. Rankin finished his first round early at seven-under before adding a 69 in the second, though a double-bogey on the par-three 17th and a tightening back slowed his momentum.
“Being almost 40, the aches and pains are there, and I just can’t do what I could at 22,” said the 39-year-old, ranked 981st in the world. “Winning here would mean the world to me — it would be the biggest thing besides having my daughter.”
Rankin holds a one-shot advantage over a group including Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia, home favorite Christopher Wood, and Frenchman Tom Vaillant. Meanwhile, Australian Geoff Ogilvy, the 2006 US Open champion, fired a 68 to move to five-under, four shots behind Rankin.
ADD A COMMENT :