AT&T Byron Nelson: Top 10 power rankings at Trinity Forest

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DALLAS, TX – MAY 19: Marc Leishman of Australia and his caddie look on from the third fairway during the third round of the AT&T Byron Nelson at Trinity Forest Golf Club on May 19, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Growing up playing sandbelt courses in Australia prepared Marc Leishman well for the Byron Nelson’s new venue. Big Leish thrived at Trinity Forest in 2018, taking second place at 20-under (61-66-69-68) only behind a breakout performance by Aaron Wise.

His 61 on Thursday set an impressive course record right off the bat.

Last year’s moisture didn’t lend a hand to Leishman and may not quite work in his favor again this year.

“It would have been windy I probably would have preferred that, firm and windy, taken a few of the guys behind a little more out of it,” Leishman said in 2018. “You get what you’re given. You can’t choose your conditions.”

Leishman has cooled some since getting off to a hot start in 2019. He posted three top-fives in his first four starts but has none since February. He has advanced to the knockout stage at the WGC-Match Play, took T23 at Bay Hill and has made 11 of his last 12 cuts on the PGA Tour.

A reason he’s just a hair off is his short game. He was in the top 25 in strokes gained around the greens the last two seasons and top 50 the last three. Now? 129th. Leishman’s in the positive in all other categories and is 16th approaching the green, so his ball striking is as good as ever.

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