Marc Leishman has become the first big-name golfer to commit to play the 2018 Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast.
Leishman says he has a burning desire to claim one of Australia's big tournament titles, something that has eluded him despite the overseas success that has taken him to the world No.16 ranking.
Marc Leishman wants to win in Australia.
Photo: AP
A late addition to the field last year, the three-time US tour winner and British Open runner-up returns to the European tour co-sanctioned tournament at Royal Pines to be held from November 29-December 2.
Leishman finished tied fourth behind fellow US PGA tour star Cameron Smith last year and says a big title on Australian soil is "definitely" a glaring omission from his CV.
"I feel like I've done enough stuff around the world and it's frustrating not having won one," Leishman said in a teleconference on Wednesday.
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"Growing up watching those events as a kid, seeing all my idols win those events, yeah, I haven't really even contended to be honest in any of them.
"So that's something I would definitely like to change this year.
"Especially it would be nice to have a good lead-up to the PGA and try and really have a good shot at it."
The 34-year-old vowed to treat the Australian PGA like a major championship.
"I feel like I've maybe got a bit impatient at the Australian events in past years," Leishman said.
"I just need to stay in it and almost treat it like a major and be patient and not let little things worry you.
"It sounds pretty stupid but it can be easy to not do that."
The PGA Championship will complete a bumper three-week program of golf this summer, with the Australian Open at The Lakes in Sydney held from November 15-18 before Leishman contests the World Cup of Golf at The Metropolitan in Melbourne from November 21-25.
Leishman, a US-based father of three, is yet to commit to his national championship.
"It would be good to play in all three but nothing is confirmed yet with a small family and all that.
"The second half of the PGA tour schedule is not out either so the Australian Open's up in the air but, again, I'd love to be there for all three.
"It would be great."
AAP
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