The Warrnambool export defeated Englishman Lee Westwood three up with two holes to play on Thursday, Australian Eastern Standard Time.

His win came days after his one-shot Arnold Palmer Invitational win – his second career title on the US PGA Tour and first since his breakthrough at the Travelers Championship in 2012.

Leishman opened with a birdie and remained in front all match, hitting 14 of 16 greens.

Number two seed Rory McIlroy and number five seed Jordan Spieth lost the first of their three group play matches, while fellow Australian Jason Day, who is part of Leishman’s group, pulled out of his opening round after six holes due to a family illness.

The tournament consists of 64 players split across 16 groups. The 16 group winners will advance to elimination play after three rounds.