Leishman is one of 12 Australians in the field for the third major of the year which tees off tonight (AEST).

Each one is seeking to end a 50-year drought. Not since Kel Nagle edged out Arnold Palmer by a shot in 1960 has an Australian raised the famous Claret Jug at St Andrews.

But rather than allow the weight of history to dominate his approach, Leishman is solely focused on improving his own record in majors after missing the cut in both this year's US Masters and the US Open.

"It's great to be playing another major," Leishman told The Standard yesterday.

"I feel like I've learned so much in the Masters and US Open.

"It can't hurt to have that experience.

"After the first two majors I think that if I concentrate on making the cut and then re-assess my goals from there, that'd be smart.

"I'm trying not to have my expectations too high this week."

Leishman has played at St Andrews before as an amateur and is not over-awed by some of the monster holes he has to play.

"The course was really firm yesterday but the weather is wet and windy today so things might change a bit overnight," he said yesterday.

"It's great to be back in Scotland. I've played standrews a few times so its good being at a course I'm fairly familiar with, especially with it being such a big tournament."

Leishman brings some good form with him across the Atlantic. He finished equal seventh in the AT&T National in Pennsylvania earlier this month.

"Hopefully I can carry that over into the Open, but as I said before it will be tough with the contrast of conditions compared to the States - both course conditions and weather."

Leishman said the weather and tee times would have a big influence on who plays well this week.

"You can get very lucky or unlucky depending on what the weather does.

"In the morning it can be perfect then when the tide changes it can turn really really dirty so hopefully I can get on the good side of that."

Leishman will tee off tonight at 9.15pm (AEST) with Americans Kevin Na and Tom Lehman.