A TWO-OVER opening round at The Northern Trust could have been worse for Warrnambool export Marc Leishman if not for a small recovery on the back nine.
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The 35-year-old had a horror opening nine holes at the FedEx Cup event at Jersey City's Liberty National, shooting two bogeys and a triple bogey to sit five over after nine.
Leishman clawed his way back to a respectable position with three back-nine birdies to finish two-over 73 in a tie for 100th place.
His birdies came on the par-3 11th, par-5 13th and par-4 17th following his bogeys on the par-4 fifth and seventh before the triple on the par-4 ninth.
The father-of-three is well behind American leader Troy Merritt, who is at nine under, fellow countryman Dustin Johnson is one shot back in second while Spain's Jon Rahm and American Kevin Kisner are tied for third at seven-under.
Leishman, who is currently ranked 12th in the FedEx Cup rankings, hit 10 of 18 greens in regulation during his opening round.
Cameron Smith is the best placed Australian in a tie for 18th at four-under.
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
