Presidents Cup rookie and captain’s pick Marc Leishman impressed as a player who can become a mainstay of future International teams after proving his worth at Muirfield Village.
The 29-year-old Victorian backed up his clutch performance in the first foursomes session with an impressive 1-up singles win on Sunday against world No.8 and reigning WGC Match Play champion Matt Kuchar.
While he also lost two team matches, it was the way he won that left the biggest impression.
The Australian made a clutch downhill 12-foot birdie putt to win the 15th hole in his Friday foursomes match with Angel Cabrera against Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker.
A stunning seven-iron approach from 191 yards on the 17th to just centimetres from the hole then closed out a 2 and 1 victory.
Then, as the Internationals tried to concoct an enormous rally in Sunday singles, Leishman kept the dream alive with a clutch win over Kuchar.
Kuchar was 2-up through seven holes but the Warrnambool product refused to go quietly, winning the eighth hole by going a ball width from a hole-in-one.
Another birdie on the par-three 12th squared his match before a birdie on 15 set up his one-hole buffer.
Needing just to halve the final hole and with the win critical, Leishman missed the green and then chipped across the green, leaving a tricky 14-foot par putt from the fringe to close out the match.
With the American crowd well and truly in Kuchar’s corner, Leishman’s putt never looked like missing.
“That was huge. I’ve been wanting that putt all week,” Leishman said.
“Just an opportunity to keep us in it or win it. To win the match was huge.
“This week has been awesome. Being back in this team environment, which I haven’t been for seven or eight years since I’ve turned pro, it’s awesome.
“Scotty (Adam Scott) and Jason (Day) are born leaders and Ernie (Els), to be around him was huge for me.
“I’ve never had a whole lot to do with him, and sort of idolised him growing up so it’s just cool to spend time off the golf course with all the guys.”
Leishman has no time to come down from the high as he’s slated to open the new US PGA Tour season in California next week.
“Once I get there, I’ll be ready to go,” he said.
“Coming off some pretty good form this week so I’m really excited about starting the new season.”
