Australian golf star Marc Leishman has come to terms with never playing majors again on a regular basis due to LIV’s world rankings stalemate.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported Leishman is fine with the fact his run of 30 consecutive appearances in majors will come to an end after joining Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed rebel tour.
Leishman arrived back in Australia on Friday for his first tournament on home soil in three years.
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LIV Golf is yet to receive official status for its 54-hole, no-cut tournaments, which has seen Leishman’s world ranking drop to 68.
The top 50 players in the world at the end of each calendar year receive an automatic invite to The Masters, where Leishman has had three top 10 finishes in 10 visits to Augusta National.
Leishman is well aware of the fallout from his decision to join countrymen Cameron Smith in the LIV Golf series, which will bring the richest golf tournament ever held in Australia to Adelaide in April.
Augusta National and the governing bodies of the US Open and US PGA Championships are yet to decide if LIV players will be allowed to contest major tournaments.
However, Leishman is already at peace with the fact he may not be able to play at the major tournament’s in the US going forward.
“That was one of the things I had to weigh up when I did make the move,” Leishman told The Herald.
“I’ve played at pretty much all the majors for the last 12 or 13 years. I’ve had my chances. Obviously, I want to play them, but I’m fine not playing them.
“I’ll try to qualify for the British Open and the US Open and if the world rankings happen, I’d love to get into The Masters. If not, I’ll watch it on the TV and hopefully watch Cam win it.”
Leishman will use LIV Golf’s long off-season to spend more time in Australia in 2023 and has joined forces with Smith to build an Australian franchise for LIV Golf.
“I’ve loved my time on the PGA Tour and I certainly enjoyed the transition,” Leishman said.
“That was one of the things that drew me to it. I’m not getting any younger and you can play golf forever, but you don’t know how high a level you can play at as you get at into your 40s.
“After playing, that’s going to be certainly something to work with and hopefully we can build the franchise and be a part of it when golf is done.”
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Leishman also revealed his desire to add an Australian major to his six PGA tour wins, after finishing second to Smith in the 2018 Australian PGA.
“That’s one thing that’s missing: one of the big tournaments in Australia,” Leishman said.
“I’ve been close a few times up at the PGA and to do that would certainly be something I want to do, and I would like to do it sooner rather than later.
“I’m excited to get up to Queensland for the PGA at a course I’ve played well at before, not since it’s been re-done though. Hopefully I can give myself a chance and we’ll see what happens.”
