LIV Golf star Marc Leishman eyeing WA Open title . . . and an Australian ODI win versus India on Sunday

Marc Leishman will be eyeing a WA Open win for his already impressive golf resume on Sunday afternoon. But the cricket tragic admits he might also sneak a peak of how Australia is going against India in their one-day international at Optus Stadium during his final round. The LIV Golf star will be the biggest drawcard when the event tees off on Thursday at Mount Lawley Golf Club. And while the 41-year-old Victorian was excited to get familiar with the recently redesigned Mount Lawley greens, he was equally enthralled by the surface for the cricket, even taking a run on the outfield mower on Tuesday. “It’s always cool to get on the mower, it’s a passion of mine,” Leishman said, admitting the push mower he used at his one acre Virginia Beach home in the US was not quite as impressive. “I’ve been lucky enough to cut the MCG and now Optus Stadium. The outfield looks good, I think it’s going to be quick and hopefully I made it a little quicker there when I did a couple of runs. Hopefully the Aussies can get over the line.” Leishman said while it had been a long 38-hour journey from his US home base to Perth, he couldn’t think of a better place to knock off some rust after a six-week layoff. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Perth — probably 20 years — but I’ve got great memories from playing amateur golf here and I think I played one professional event,” he said. “It is obviously a long way from home but it’s a place I really wanted to come back to and I’m excited to be here. “We finished the LIV season at the end of August and I had my coach in town for a week about two weeks ago and did a bit of work. I’ve still been playing a bit of golf and the form has been good but you never know until you get into the tournament.” “This worked perfectly with my schedule. We have an off-season with LIV Golf which is amazing but you can get a bit rusty if you have too much time off. I’ve got some friends here in Perth, I love the city, I love the State, the weather is amazing and the golf courses are as good as you get anywhere and the cricket didn’t hurt either.” Leishman will play the pro-am at Mount Lawley on Wednesday alongside stand-in ODI captain Mitch Marsh. “He’s a big fella and he hits the cricket ball a mile so I can’t see why the golf ball would be any different,” Leishman joked. Having already taken an early look at the front nine during a practice round on Monday, Leishman said the greens were impressive, particularly the Australia-shaped putting surface on the par-3 No.4. “Great design, I think the tournament organisers can make it as easy, or as hard, as they want. “If you put the flag down in Victoria it is going to be really tough with that big bunker just short of it. I think Queensland is a little easier. It’s a cool green and I think they did well to think of doing that.” Entry to the WA Open is free.