Marc Leishman closing in on $6 million payday in Arizona event, leads Sergio Garcia by two shots heading into final round

Australian Marc Leishman is on the cusp of an eye-watering $6 million payday after turning back the clock to lead after the second round of the LIV Golf event in Arizona.

Leishman, who has tumbled out of the world’s top 50 and won’t play The Masters at Augusta next month, holds a two-shot lead from Sergio Garcia heading into the final round of the 54-hole event.

Leishman (-11) shot a five-under 66 in his second round on Sunday morning (AEDT) as he closes in on his first win on Greg Norman’s breakaway tour.

The individual winner of the Tuscon event, the second on the LIV schedule for 2023, will bank $5.97 million before potential team winnings.

Leishman chipped in for eagle on his first hole in the second round and then extended his overnight lead to hold a cushion from former Masters winner Garcia (-9).

“It was a really hot start and a good front nine, and I cooled off a little on the back nine but I didn’t let it get away from me, which has been a fault of mine for the last year or two, having a bad hour or so,” Leishman said.

“I’m always a leaderboard watcher and I like to know where I am. I enjoy the pressure and I guess that’s why we do the hard work to get ourselves in that situation.”

Leishman’s team captain, The Open champion Cameron Smith (-1), is trying to find his best form before The Masters but is well out of contention for individual honour in Arizona.