LEISHMAN Marc

General
SOCIAL SPORT
He enjoys the social aspect of playing golf and says it was one of the reasons he took up the sport. "The friendships were the biggest drawcard for golf. I've still got great mates who I met in junior golf and that hasn't changed. The social side of the game is one of my favourite parts of the sport. My home club Warrnambool was a very working-class club. My dad and his mates always wanted to play golf quickly so they could get into the clubhouse and have a beer. I think that's also one of the great things about our sport, having a beer and spending time with your mates after a round." (australiangolfdigest.com.au, 26 Apr 2021)

FOUNDATION
In 2016 he and his wife Audrey set up the Begin Again Foundation after Audrey recovered from a life-threatening experience with toxic shock syndrome, sepsis and acute respiratory syndrome. The charity was established to aids families who need assistance with medical expenses. (pgatour.com, 25 Apr 2021; golfmonthly.com, 10 Apr 2021)

RIO WITHDRAWAL
In May 2016 he announced he was withdrawing himself from selection for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro due to health concerns about the Zika virus. His wife Audrey came close to dying with toxic shock syndrome in April 2015 and he did not want to risk her being infected with the virus due to her low immune system. "I missed playing in the 2015 Masters tournament to be at her side when she was originally stricken and I cannot risk placing her health in jeopardy. The Masters and the Olympics are the two biggest tournaments to which a golfer can be invited, however, my family will always come before golf." (olympics.nbcsports.com, 04 May 2016)