WARRNAMBOOL golf export Marc Leishman powered home at the British Open to secure his third top-10 finish at the event in the past four fours.
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Entering the final round 13 shots off the pace, Leishman shot a five-under-par 65 in the fourth round to jump 23 places, finishing eight shots behind the winner, American Jordan Spieth.
Leishman shot birdies on the second, third, seventh, 15th and 17th holes.
Leishman, who was beaten in a playoff in 2015 at St Andrews and was equal fifth at Royal Liverpool in 2014 produced his best round on the final day at Royal Birkdale to finish equal sixth.
He was the top Australian at the Open at four under the card – Adam Scott the next best Aussie finishing with an even 280 to be tied for 22nd – and said his latest charge left him wanting more.
"You grow up watching all this stuff on TV and you hope you're going to get there one day," he said.
"And to be there on a Sunday afternoon when the stands are full, getting that ovation coming up the 18th hole, it feels really nice.
“Occasionally, you have to pinch yourself a little bit. But I've done it a few times now, so it's just fun to do it and it would be nice to walk up there one day with a four-shot lead and enjoy it more."
Right until the end, the Victorian clung to the belief that he could snare a share of the clubhouse lead in the hope the afternoon leaders might stumble.
"Played well. Had it going there for a while," Leishman said.
"Considering I made the (halfway) cut on the number, it turned into a pretty good week."
With his 66-65 weekend finish, Leishman rued a second-round 76 that ultimately cruelled his chances of collecting the Claret Jug.
He narrowly avoided the cut after the second round, with his six-over leaving him just one shot to spare.
"You can't throw in a six-over-par round and expect to contend in majors," he said.