Marc Leishman sets sights on career-topping Olympic gold medal

The 37-year-old is one of two Australians in a stacked field, which includes five of the world's top six golfers, to play for gold at Kasumigaseki Country Club next Thursday.

Cameron Smith, who Leishman won the Zurich Classic with in April, is the other Australian in the field.

"If I was to win a gold medal I think it would rank above any other win I've had," the six-time PGA winner, who is making his Olympics debut, said.

"Anything other than the British Open or the Masters, I think it's going to be right there.

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"I'm preparing for it like I would prepare for a major, thinking of what I'm going to need and clubs I'm going to have to take.

"Having two big tournaments back-to-back like the British Open and (the Olympics) makes it a little more difficult to prepare, but I feel like where I live is a good place to do that."

Leishman missed the cut at the British Open, the final major tournament of the year, last weekend.

He played the the last eight holes of his second round using his wedge for putting after he snapped his putter following a missed birdie chance earlier in the round.

Leishman was to don the green and gold in Rio but withdrew due to fears over the Zika virus. His wife, Audrey, was recovering from toxic shock syndrome the last time the Games were held in 2016.

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