The Warrnambool golfer had an impressive weekend to finish fourth in the Australian PGA Championship ? his best result on home soil.

After scores of 70 and 71 in the opening rounds, he fired a 66 on Saturday and a 68 yesterday to see him finish three-under-par 275.

Compatriot Robert Allenby took out the tournament at Coolum in Queensland after carding a five-under 270. After describing his performances at last month's Australian Masters and last week's Australian Open as average, Leishman was pleased to hit some form.

"People have expectations of me of how I should play and I had a bit of a taste of that in America," he said.

"To have it in your home country is different.

"I think I need to have a win to not feel the pressure."

The win won't come in 2009 as the championship was his 31st and last tournament of the year.

"It was a good way to finish off the year," he said. "My first couple of days I didn't do anything flash but I finished off well.

"I didn't get off to a great start (on Saturday) but then I birdied five out of eight holes.

"It was good to see a few balls going in the hole."

His aim heading into yesterday was simple.

"I wanted to shoot a low round and try to win the tournament," he said.

"I was only three behind in the morning so I was right in it.

"After the start I made it pretty hard for myself." The 26-year-old bogeyed on the third and fourth holes to put him two over.

"After that I thought the win was probably out of reach," he said. "I fought back well though.

"If I had birded the last two holes I probably would've been in with a chance and put a bit of pressure on Allenby but I wasn't able to."

Leishman ? who finished yesterday with the two bogeys and five birdies ? believed having coach Denis McDade around for a few days before the championship was beneficial.

"We did a lot of work on my putting, which definitely helped a lot," he said. "It's always good to have someone check what you're doing."

Leishman plans to stay in Queensland for a few days before heading back to the south-west where he will spend Christmas.

He will then prepare for the 2010 US PGA Tour.

The 2009 tour's rookie of the year is expected to be announced this week, with Leishman a favourite to take out the honour.