LIV GOLF JEDDAH

October 13, 2023

Marc Leishman

Ripper GC

Royal Greens Golf & Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We're joined by Marc Leishman from Ripper GC. Marc, well played today, 5-under par 65, our leader after round 1 in Jeddah. Talk us through your round today and some of the conditions out there.

MARC LEISHMAN: Yeah, it was pretty tough. A fair bit of wind, and it was nice to be finding the middle of the face. I played pretty well today and made a couple of good putts to go along with it. When the conditions are tough like they were today, it's nice to get a good score on the board, and hopefully I can keep it going for the rest of the weekend.

Q. Ripper in the middle of the table this season, but off to a quick start this week in Jeddah, currently tied for the lead. Do you guys have one eye on the team championships next week?

MARC LEISHMAN: Oh, definitely. Yeah, next week is a huge week for the team. We got close there last year finishing second, and I know all the boys want to try and go one better than that.

Obviously a big week this week, but next week is going to be hopefully another week of good golf and we can try and get a win on the board.

Q. I know you mentioned this in Chicago a little bit, but can you talk us through the putting improvement, what you did that led to this hot stretch that you're on right now?

MARC LEISHMAN: Yeah, it was actually really simple. It was just my alignment was off. I thought I was aiming at the hole from 10 feet, but I was aiming about two inches left of the left edge. My good putts were missing left and I'd have to push it for it to go in.

I won't say it was a quick fix but a pretty easy fix, just a bit of work on the putting mirror and string line, and it fixed itself pretty quickly. It certainly helps with making putts when you're aiming where you think you are.

Q. Had you ever had that problem before?

MARC LEISHMAN: No, not for a while. I mean, early on, yes. But yeah, not for a long time. I actually changed to a putter without a line. I haven't used a line on the putter for probably six years. Went back to the last putter that I used with a line on it, and that's really helped me with my alignment. The putts have started going in, which is good.

Q. Are you surprised it was able to just turn like that, that you were making this instant improvement?

MARC LEISHMAN: I mean, not really. I felt like I was playing good golf, and I felt like I was hitting good putts, they just weren't going in, and it all made sense once I worked that out. It was frustrating that it was something so simple and it didn't click that that was what it was. But I'm glad that it was something so simple and we didn't have to rebuild the putting stroke. I don't have to think about it now. I just free it up, and hopefully they roll in.

Q. Is there much chatter in the team room about Cam and possibly winning the individual title this week?

MARC LEISHMAN: I mean, we're all aware of it, but we haven't spoken about it, to be honest. Obviously Cam is a big process guy, as we all are, and I know if he just plays -- he knows if he plays well this week, things will take care of themselves.

I think when you start thinking about things, that's when things can go south. He's just trying to take care of his job, us lads are trying to take care of ours, and hopefully as a team we can have a really good week and Cam can have a good week individually and come away with an individual championship.

Q. With yourself leading, it's early days, but with yourself leading, Cam leading, the team tied third, what would a hat trick mean for you this weekend?

MARC LEISHMAN: I mean, it would be a fun plane ride to Miami. Like I say, we're all process guys, and we try not to get ahead of ourselves. That hasn't even entered any of our heads I don't think. But that would certainly be a good way to end the regular season and go into Miami next week. It might not be so good for the golf next week, but it would certainly be a lot of fun.

Q. What are your thoughts going into round 2, round 3, and how are you planning on keeping your position and taking it all the way to the end?

MARC LEISHMAN: Yeah, I mean, obviously it's great to get off to a good start. I just want to keep doing what I've been doing, just concentrating on hitting good shots. Hopefully I can make the putts and continue to read the greens and the wind right. It's quite difficult when the wind is blowing like it is at the moment.

But growing up in a really windy place, I enjoy that, and I think that's a big part of my success in the wind maybe. Hopefully I can continue playing like I did today and have two more low scores.

Q. As you said just now, the competition out there is really fierce, and top players are out there. How do you actually see competing with them and having to keep the lead against such a great field?

MARC LEISHMAN: Yeah, it is a great field. A lot of guys have played well this year coming towards the end of the season.

We've all got the same goal, that we want to leave here with a trophy. Yeah, it is a good field, but I'd like to think I'm one of the good players, as well.

Just got to take care of my job. Hopefully I can play good for the next two days. You never know how everyone else plays, but I'll just try and do what I can.

Q. Out of all the previous events, now you're leading the race in Jeddah in round 1. What was the secret? What has changed for you?

MARC LEISHMAN: Well, I've played this course quite a few times now, so I feel like I'm learning the course more every time I play it. I actually struggled around here the first couple of tournaments I played here. Didn't have good results.

Finally earlier this year at the Saudi International, had a top 10 and gained some confidence, learned how to play the course a bit more and how to read the greens. They're quite tricky greens. I think that's a big part of success around here is reading the greens and obviously avoiding the trouble. There's a few holes where there's places you just can't hit it.

Today I avoided those. Hopefully I can avoid them for a couple more days.