Marc Leishman says a text message exchange with idol Greg Norman is one of the driving forces behind his quest to break Australia's hoodoo at the US PGA Tour's rich FedEx Cup playoffs.
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The obvious incentive for Leishman to win the FedEx Cup is its $US10 million bonus cheque, but a rare correspondence with golfing great Norman has given the Victorian native a spring in his step at this week's Tour Championship finale.
With Australian perennial FedEx contenders Jason Day and Adam Scott unable to claim the series during its 10-year history, Leishman has a hot chance as one the top five seeds in the Atlanta decider, courtesy of his wire-to-wire win at last week's BMW Championship.
The 33-year-old Leishman is guaranteed the FedEx title with a victory in the 30-man event at East Lake Golf Club.
Leishman says he was chuffed with encouragement from World Golf Hall of Fame member Norman.
"Yeah, (Norman) has been a massive influence. I've always idolised him; he was such a successful bloke on and off the golf course. An inspiration, really," Leishman said.
eishman said he first received a text from 62-year-old Norman on Saturday night, urging him to convert his five-shot lead in the final round of the BMW Championship.
"Then he sent a text to congratulate me on Sunday night," said Leishman.
"Getting a text from Greg Norman is a pretty cool feeling ... it had been a few years (since the last).
"I had a cardboard cut-out of Greg in my bedroom growing up."
Looking to ice a breakout season that includes a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March and seven top-10 results, Leishman says he'll draw on a previous win at a 30-man event.
Leishman won the 2015 Nedbank Golf Challenge, whose field has since grown, in South Africa by a whopping six shots over big gun Henrik Stenson.
"Winning the Nedbank by six is good to have in the memory bank. Hopefully I can make this number two," Leishman said.
MARC LEISHMAN AT THE FEDEX CUP
FedEx standing: Fourth
Tour Championship results: Tied 28th (2009; only appearance)
How he can win the FedEx Cup: In the top five seeds, Leishman wins the FedEx Cup with a Tour Championship victory. He also has a solid chance of winning with a second-place finish and can finish as low as a tie for third and still have a chance.
AAP
