The Warrnambool export sits four shots behind leader, Englishman Justin Rose, after firing a two-under par 69 to start his campaign.

Leishman, who is tied for 16^th, is the best-placed of the Australian contingent.

Jason Day and Adam Scott are tied for 28^th at one-under and Cameron Smith is tied for 40^th after shooting an even round.

Aaron Baddeley (plus one, tied for 58th), Marcus Fraser (plus two, tied for 77th), Matt Jones (plus three, tied for 98th) and Brett Drewitt (plus six, tied for 141st) round out the Australian cohort.

Leishman, whose best result at a major is teed for second at the British Open, will tee off for his second round at 6.36am AEST on Saturday in a star-studded group alongside Spaniard Jon Rahm and Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy.

EARLIER: WARRNAMBOOL export Marc Leishman has given himself an ideal launching pad at the US Open.

The world number 21 overcame a shaky start - he recorded two bogeys in his opening three holes - to post at two-under par 69 at California's Pebble Beach on Friday morning, Australian standard time.

He is currently three shots behind clubhouse leaders, American pair Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele, and tied for 13^th with some golfers some still out on the course.

His round included five birdies.

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