IRVING, Texas – Marc Leishman has been on the verge of a breakthrough all season, with nine made cuts in 11 starts, but no finish better than 17th.
That breakthrough may be about to happen this week.
Leishman took the early Byron Nelson Championship first-round lead with a 5-under 65, thanks to a pair of eagles on the back nine.
“It’s nice having a real good chance for eagle; doesn’t happen a whole lot,” said the former rookie of the year. “Sometimes you have a tough putt or maybe a holeable bunker shot, but both of the opportunities for eagle I had I was thinking about holing, and it’s nice when they go in. I just gave myself chances.”
Leishman holed a 30-foot eagle putt on 11 and an 8-footer on 16 to go along with two birdies and a bogey.
“I feel like I’m doing the right things, being patient,” he explained. “It probably took longer than I would have liked to have a good round like this. Me and my caddie have been talking about doing the right things and it will take care of itself, and hopefully I can have another good three rounds and it will take care of itself.”