The Warrnambool golfer begins his 2010 campaign for the competition next week and yesterday told The Standard all players in the tour faced the same challenge.

Last year the US PGA Tour's nine-member panel ruled to limit the grooves of irons used in tournaments. The changes were made in an attempt to make it harder for players to land the ball on the greens from the rough.

It reduced ball spin and helped courses combat technology improvements.

Leishman has been adjusting to the new clubs on the Warrnambool golf course. He spent the past few weeks in his home city and said the new irons proved challenging.

''It does make it harder. They don't grip the ball as much. They (balls) come out high with no spin and don't go as far," he said.

"It should be interesting. They (the irons) are different."

The 2010 tour begins today in Hawaii. A total of 28 golfers will tee-off for the SBS Championship in Kapalua.

Leishman will save his start for the $5.5 million Sony Open, which which starts January 14 at Honolulu.

He will be hoping to back up his success from the 2009 tour, when he was crowned the circuit's rookie of the year. He said he was looking forward to taking on the Hawaiian capital.

"I played there last year and finished 12th. It was a great start. It was my first event on the US PGA Tour," he said. "It's pretty relaxing Hawaii, but it also gets a bit windy."

Leishman has enjoyed spending his Christmas break in Warrnambool. He said he had a few hits on his old home course.

"I'm ready to go. I've been practising a bit," he said.

"I'm not exactly sure who else is playing in the (Sony Open) tournament. But I don't really worry about what everyone else is doing.

"I focus on my own game and do my best. Hopefully I'll beat the others - that's all I can do."