TWO birdies from the last three holes lifted Marc Leishman to tie for second in the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego yesterday.
The Warrnambool golfer equalled his best ever result on the US PGA Tour, after coming runner-up to Tiger Woods in the BMW Championship last September.
Leishman, who collected $US395,733.34 for the latest tournament, was yesterday celebrating with some Californian friends.
"I've just been playing some table tennis," he said a few hours after he left the Torrey Pines golf course.
Leishman, who believed he was staging a turnaround before The Standard called, explained he stayed with his table tennis opponents in 2001 when he was playing in a junior tournament.
"I've just kept in contact with them," he said.
"It's great to celebrate with some familiar faces."
After rounds of 68, 69 and 71, Leishman entered yesterday's final round tied for 11th.
He described his start in the fourth round as average.
He referred to a bogey on the fourth hole and birdies on the second and eighth holes which saw him one-under after the front nine.
"But then I fought back really well towards the end to give myself a chance to win," he said.
"I just couldn't quite get there though."
Birdies on the 13th, 16th and 17th helped him to a 68.
He finished the tournament 12-under-par 276 and was tied for second at the end of his final round.
American Ben Crane was two shots ahead of him with two holes to play.
"Because there was a chance of a playoff, I had to hang around in the locker room after I finished and watch it on TV," Leishman said.
"I wasn't really expecting a playoff because I was two behind." Crane bogeyed on the 17th.
"The last hole was a fairly easy par five so I still wasn't expecting a playoff but then you never know because of the pressure," Leishman said.
Crane parred the 18th to secure a one-shot victory over Leishman, Australian Michael Sim and American Brandt Snedeker.
Leishman wasn't too fazed by the final margin.
"Obviously there's a lot of chances that now I think I didn't take advantage of but it's the same for everyone," he said.
"It's a little bit disappointing but then you can't be too disappointed with second.
"It's good to get yourself into that position and next time I'll be better for it.
"I think you learn a lot more when you don't win compared to when you do win."
The 26-year-old - who hoped his maiden victory would come in the next couple of months - believed the San Diego course suited him.
"It's really long and there was a lot of rain last week, which made it even better," he said.
"The greens were similar to what I grew up with, which really helped.
"I drove really well and putted reasonably well."
He also believed playing with compatriot Robert Allenby, who had a blistering start to the final round with four birdies on the front nine, was beneficial.
"I think if someone is playing well, they drag you along a little bit," Leishman said.
"It's a bit unfortunate how he finished (tied for ninth) but that's golf."
Leishman was upbeat about yesterday's tournament result.
"It takes a bit of pressure off because it helps with what I need to keep my card for next year," he said.
"I'm also hoping to get into World Match Play Championship in two weeks' time.
"I need to be in the top 64 in the world to get into it. I'm probably around the 70s now."
Leishman can improve his standing by performing well in the Northern Trust Open in California starting on Friday.
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