NOBODY is looking forward more to Tiger Woods' return to golf than the US PGA Tour's 2009 rookie of the year.Warrnambool export Marc Leishman on the weekend became the first Australian to be crowned with the rookie title.Home for Christmas, the 26-year-old told The Standard that winning the accolade, which is set to make him more bankable with sponsors, was a relief.But hours after learning he earned the title, he said he couldn't wait until Woods returned to the green. The world number one, who won his 10th PGA Tour player of the year title, is taking an indefinite break from the sport after a string of indiscretions.After wooing crowds at the Australian Masters in Melbourne last month, Woods' billion dollar world turned upside down when it was revealed he had up to 11 mistresses.Despite the star golfer's marital misdemeanours, Leishman said Woods' presence was vital to the sport.He feared if Woods' retired, golf prizemoney would plummet to levels of about 15 years ago."Tiger brings so much the game," Leishman said. "He is the reason why prize money has gone up and he has boosted the profile of the sport. ''What happened at the Masters in Melbourne was unbelievable."You always know when he is playing because you hear the crowd roaring for Tiger."In September, Leishman was runner-up to Woods in the BMW Championships. He said Woods was likeable ."He is a really good bloke who always says hello to you if he knows you,'' Leishman said. ''He became really friendly after we played together."I think people would still come and see Tiger play regardless of what has happened." Leishman had three top-10 finishes this season. He said his main focus was keeping his card for the 2010 tour."That was the big thing,'' he said.''My goals were to finish in the top 70, then the top 30, get to the majors - I did all those things which is great and I'm really looking forward to next season."He said he had a feeling he would take out the rookie title."But you never know,'' he said.''It is a bit of a relief and something which is nice to have on the resume."Looking at players in the past who have been named rookie of the year it should make me more sellable to sponsors."But with that comes a few more expectations ? not from myself because I set pretty high expectations of myself ? I will just have a few more media commitments before tournaments."Leishman praised his caddy and best mate Matt Kelly. He said the title belonged to Kelly as much as him."It's his award too,'' he said. ''He's the caddy of the year. Matty's been great."Leishman said his PGA experience was lifechanging. "There are times when I miss my family but then I realise how lucky I am," he saod.''It (golf) has allowed me to do so many things I wouldn't have been able to do."I can just book a holiday now and not worry about the cost. "Leishman flies to the US on January 10. He will waste no time taking to the greens for his first 2010 tournament in Hawaii , which is scheduled for January 14."It's pretty good there and a pretty relaxing start to the year," he said.The USA has become Leishman's second home. He has a house there and is set to wed American fiancee Audrey Hills next year.