Marc Leishman has continued his climb into the top echelon of golf and is closing in on a ticket to the US and British Opens.
The Victorian ended a poor personal record at The Players Championship, getting within one shot of the lead early in the final round before finishing in a tie for eighth.
Coming into the event with a 74.5 scoring average on the TPC Sawgrass course, Leishman went 72, 66, 71, 72 to confirm his emergence as a real force.
While Tiger Woods cemented his place as world No.1 with his fourth win of the year, Leishman’s third top 10 in a row to go with his tie for fourth at the Masters and tie for ninth at the Heritage lifted him to a career-high 58th.
He heads to Texas to play the Byron Nelson Championship and Crowne Plaza Invitational secure in the knowledge if he remains inside the top 60 by May 27 he’ll be in the field at Merion for the US Open.
A rise into the top 50 by the same date will give him a guaranteed start at the British Open at Muirfield.
“I am really happy. Top 10s are great and it’s the first time I’ve managed three in a row so that’s awesome,” Leishman said.
“The world ranking points are huge for US Open, British Open and also the President’s Cup, I have a lot to play for at the moment.
“It was a big goal to have a big week to try to get a cushion in the top 60 but now I’m gunning for the top 50 and then top 25.
“I am playing good golf, my head is in a good spot and I like the course coming up. The next three courses really fit my eye so I’m looking forward to a big few weeks.”
Leishman also moved to 49th in the season-long FedEx Cup race on the US PGA tour, almost certainly already locking up a place in the top 125 who make the playoffs.
With wife Aubrey due to deliver their second child in the lead up to the play-off events, the 29-year-old is looking to bank as many early points as possible.
Masters champion Adam Scott made a somewhat successful return to competition as he continued to stripe the ball, but just couldn’t make the crucial putts.
He finished at five-under par in a tie for 19th at The Players.
Scott was joined by Jason Day in 19th after a 68 to finish strong heading to this week’s Byron Nelson Championship, the event of his lone US PGA tour win.
Greg Chalmers struggled to a 77 to drop to two-under and a tie for 37th.
John Senden (73) rounded out the Australian tilt at one-under in a tie for 43rd.