Leishman Wins First Individual LIV Title in Miami

Australian golfer Marc Leishman has won his first LIV Golf individual title, defeating Charl Schwartzel by one stroke in Miami.

Leishman, 41, started the final round three shots behind leader Bryson DeChambeau but quickly made up ground with a birdie at the first hole. He then sank birdies at the fourth, eighth, and 10th holes before eight pars helped him finish just ahead of Schwartzel, who carded a 66 on the Blue Monster Course at Trump National Doral in Florida.

“I saw all the guys right behind me and I knew the holes I had to finish up on,” Leishman said. “I played probably some of my best golf I’ve ever played today.”

Among the LIV players taking part in the Masters in addition to Schwartzel, former Masters champion Sergio Garcia was two shots behind Leishman at four under. US Open champion DeChambeau finished a further two shots back at two under while three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson finished one under. Jon Rahm, the 2023 Augusta winner, finished one over.

The win is a major boost for Leishman, who will not be part of the LIV contingent at the Masters in Augusta. It also cements his place as one of the leading players on the LIV Golf tour, which has been the subject of much controversy since its inception last year.

The LIV Golf tour has been criticized by some for its format, which features teams of four players competing in a series of events around the world. However, the tour has also attracted some of the biggest names in golf, including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Bryson DeChambeau.

With the Masters just around the corner, Leishman will be hoping to build on his victory in Miami and continue his good form at Augusta. The Masters is one of the most prestigious events in golf, and Leishman will be looking to add his name to the list of winners at one of the sport’s most iconic venues.