Career low round sees Leishman take BMW lead
Marc Leishman produced the lowest round of his career to earn a two-shot advantage on the opening day of the BMW Championship.
The Australian finished third at last week’s Dell Technologies Championship and maintained that form in Chicago with a stunning nine-under-par 62 to take the outright lead from Jamie Lovemark, Jason Day and Charley Hoffman.
Leishman was seventh in the FedEx Cup play-off standings and has put himself in a strong position to cash-in at next week’s season-ending Tour Championship.
The 33-year-old said: “I hit the ball well, and the putter cooperated again.
“Rolling the ball really well. Feeling confident over all my clubs. It’s nice when you can get on a run like this. Hopefully I can keep it going.”
Leishman’s round could have been even better after teeing off on 16 requiring three successive birdies to shoot the third 59 of 2017.
However, he sank three pars in-a-row, albeit that was enough to move clear of Lovemark, Hoffman and tour leader Day.
“It didn’t really enter my mind to be honest. When I hit it to 80 feet on No. 17, I knew it was probably out of reach,” added Leishman.
The quintet of Keegan Bradley, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Rafael Cabrera-Bello and Tony Finau are three behind after rounds of 65.
Veteran Phil Mickelson continued his recent revival, with the American among five players at five under.
Latest
-
European TourRory McIlroy takes one-shot lead into final round in Dubai after shooting a 67
England’s Sam Horsfield is just a shot off the lead, one ahead of Scot Robert MacIntyre.
-
European TourDouble bogey on final hole sees Rory McIlroy slip shot off the pace in Dubai
The round one leader is a shot behind Ryder Cup team-mate Shane Lowry, England’s Sam Horsfield and American John Catlin.
-
European TourI’m on the right path – Rory McIlroy excited about road to next majors challenge
McIlroy is now a combined 148 under par in the £6.6million season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
-
European TourOpen champion Collin Morikawa determined to take chances in Race to Dubai bid
Morikawa had the chance to top the Order of Merit by winning last year’s DP World Tour Championship.
-
European TourRory McIlroy unlikely to change schedule despite new-look European Tour
The European Tour will be known as the DP World Tour from the 2022 season but Florida-based McIlroy will continue to focus on the PGA Tour.
-
European TourPunter’s pointers at the DP World Tour Championship: Course and desert specialists to the fore
It’s the final week of the 2021 European Tour season and the best 50 players of the season are convening at Jumeirah’s Earth Course.
-
European TourJB Hansen wins AVIV Dubai Championship to claim second European Tour title
The Dane finished a shot clear of Italy’s Francesco Laporta and Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger.
-
European TourHalfway leader Antoine Rozner vows to ‘stay aggressive’ at Dubai Championship
The Frenchman is on 15 under par, one shot ahead of JB Hansen and Francesco Laporta.
-
European TourTommy Fleetwood happy with ‘good round’ in Dubai
Fleetwood carded eight birdies and two bogeys in a six-under-par 66.
-
European TourEuropean Tour rebrand ‘such a positive boost’ for golf, says Stephen Gallacher
The European Tour will be known as the DP World Tour from next season.