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After a series of near misses on Sundays, Marc Leishman is ready to take the bull by the horns during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.
The 33-year-old Australian's superb form in 2017 has only been soured by lacklustre final rounds that have cruelled legitimate chances of winning his first US PGA Tour event since 2012.
Leishman has finished inside the top 25 in six of his eight events this season, including two top-10 results.
But that doesn't satisfy the Victorian, given he came within striking distance of victory during the final rounds of the Sony Open in Hawaii and Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, both in January, as well as February's Phoenix Open.
After climbing to 8-under 208 with his third-round 71 on Saturday, Leishman will start the final day at Bay Hill just three shots back of American leaders Charley Hoffman (71) and Kevin Kisner (68).
Leishman, who shares third place with English duo Tyrrell Hatton (67) and Matthew Fitzpatrick (72), believes those disappointments have prepared him well.
"I've been in contention a few times this year and I feel like I've learned a lot. I haven't played poorly in those final rounds but I didn't have the results I wanted," said Leishman.
"You learn more from not winning, so hopefully I can make those experiences pay off on Sunday."
| Pos | Golfer | R3 | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Charley Hoffman (USA) | -1 | -11 |
| T1 | Kevin Kisner (USA) | -4 | -11 |
| T3 | Marc Leishman (AUS) | -1 | -8 |
| T3 | Tyrell Hatton (ENG) | -5 | -8 |
| T3 | Matthew Fitzpatrick | E | -8 |
| T6 | Lucas Glover (USA) | E | -7 |
| T6 | Adam Hadwin (CAN) | -3 | -7 |
| T8 | Greg Chalmers (AUS) | -3 | -6 |
| T8 | Rory McIlroy (NIR) | -7 | -6 |
| T8 | Kyle Stanley (USA) | -3 | -6 |
Leishman feels his three-shot deficit could turn around in an instant at the notoriously difficult Bay Hill course in Orlando.
"(I) could make birdie and the leader has a bogey and suddenly I'm only one back," said Leishman.
"Particularly with the rough being so thick here; it's crucial to hit the fairways in order to have a chance on these fast greens."
Defending champion Jason Day fell out of contention on Saturday, with a costly 75 dropping him to even-par and tied for 39th.
"I played bad, but three harsh lip-out putts and hitting the water twice didn't help. I just have to piece it all together; once I do that I'll be fine," said Day.
Veteran WA golfer Greg Chalmers was next best of the Australians, carding a solid 69 to share eighth place at six-under with two others including world number three Rory McIlroy (65).
Cameron Smith's 69 elevated the young Queenslander to 4-under and tied for 15th, while Aaron Baddeley was two shots back in a share of 24th.
Ryan Ruffels fell down the leaderboard with a disappointing 76.
Earlier, world number nine Rickie Fowler (5-under) clawed his way back into contention with a sizzling 65, after starting the third round at 2-over and a distant 12 shots off the pace.
AAP
Topics: golf, sport, united-states