Date: June 26, 2012
Author: Omnisport

Aussies Abroad Weekly Wrap: Leishman salutes

Star of the show: Marc Leishman stormed home to win the Travelers Championship in Connecticut thanks to a superb eight-under 62 on the final day. The Victorian carded eight birdies in a blemish-free round and then suffered an agonising 142-minute wait in the clubhouse as he watched his competitors attempt to chase him down. American Charley Hoffman threw away a three-shot lead though, giving Leishman a one-stroke win and the first US PGA Tour victory of his career. The 28-year-old from Warrnambool won a cool $US1.08 million for his troubles. Breakout of the week: In a remarkable weekend for Australian golf, Gold Coast&aposs Brad Kennedy triumphed at the Mizuno Open in Okayama, Japan. The 38-year-old won his first-ever tournament in Japan, by three shots, booking himself a place in next month&aposs British Open in the process. The breakouts continued as Jody Fleming won her first-ever professional event, saluting at the Texas Women&aposs Open over 36 holes. Fleming finished the tournament with a seven-under 65, which equalled the course record, as she cruised to a five-shot win. Marcus Fraser finished second at the BMW International Open in Cologne, losing a four-hole sudden-death playoff to Englishman Danny Willett, while Rachel Bailey shot a 66 on the final day of the Raiffeisenbank Prague Golf Masters to end up in a tie for third. Shot of the week: Leishman produced several brilliant shots in the final round in Connecticut, with this 16-foot putt dropping in for his eighth birdie of the day. It followed a 157-yard approach shot and saw him end the round on the best possible note, before his rivals collapsed, giving him the remarkable victory. Tweet of the week: Fraser reflects on a heartbreaking loss in Germany. @marcusfraser Thanks to everyone for there (sic) messages, pretty gutted but a couple of beers will fix that. Big congrats to Danny Willet (sic)! Too good! What lies ahead: The PGA Tour moves to Maryland with seven Australians up against a star-studded field at the AT&T National at the Congressional Country Club. Adam Scott and Jason Day will headline the Aussie assault, with Leishman, Robert Allenby, Greg Chalmers, Nick O&aposHern and Rod Pampling also in action against the likes of Tiger Woods and defending champion Nick Watney. Fraser will look to continue his good form at The Irish Open at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. He is joined by four compatriots, including Richard Green, in the European Tour event. There is no action on the Ladies European Tour circuit this week, but the women are in action at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship on the LPGA Tour, with Katherine Hull and three other Australians playing in the tournament. From the Couch: Fox Sports will run 15 hours of live coverage from the AT&T National, with play shown from 5-8am on Friday and Saturday and then 3-4.30am and 5-8am on both Sunday and Monday. Fans of the European Tour will also get a minimum of three hours play per day live from the Irish Open. There&aposs also limited coverage of the LPGA Tour event in Arkansas, including two hours of live play from 9.30am-11.30am on both Sunday and Monday.