Leishman well placed in Utah
BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2008 Utah Championship | Round Three | 07 Sep 2008
Australian Marc Leishman heads into tomorrow’s final round of the Utah Championship in Sandy, Utah, trailing overnight leader Brendon Todd by just one shot and has an opportunity to move within striking distance of PGA Tour status.
A win tomorrow and the accompanying US$99,000 would take Leishman’s earnings on the 2008 Nationwide Tour to US$171,000, just US$25,000 or so short of where he would need to be to earn one of the 25 2009 PGA Tour cards available at the completion of the Tour Championship in early November.
A three time winner on the Von Nida Tour in Australia and with success also on the Korean Tour, Leishman is in his first full season on the Nationwide Tour after playing just eight events there last year. Leishman has been a professional since September 2005 following an outstanding amateur career.
On the very low scoring Willow Creek Country Club, Leishman led after his second round of 63 but a late bogey at the par five 16th cost him a chance of maintaining that lead into round four.
With six events remaining on the Nationwide Tour schedule including the end of year Tour Championship, a win this week would have Leishman well placed to advance to the higher level next season.
Scott Gardiner continued some better form of late when he recorded a third round of 67 and is in a share of 10th leading into tomorrow’s final round.
