Glasgow memories help to drive Marc Leishman to Open leaderboard charge

And he said: “I get text messages from her and it’s just so cool after facing up to the fact that she wasn’t going to be around”. I understand what people go through when they are in these positions.

Sure he did. The idea of shooting a 62 and setting the all-time 18-hole scoring record in a major championship – at the Home of Golf to boot – actually started rolling around the 31-year-old Australian’s head after the 13th hole.

But Leishman does let his mind wander to emerging victorious today and landing his first major.

Fellow Australian Adam Scott was left to rue several missed key putt opportunities, but also sits three shots off the pace alongside Leishman at nine under after a mediocre round of two under, with Steven Bowditch another shot behind.

Australias Marc Leishman after finishing the the final round at the British Open Golf Championship at the Old Course, St. Andrews, Scotland, Monday, July 20, 2015.

With flags hanging limp like damp tea towels – a huge contrast to Saturday’s gales that wiped out the third round and forced a first Monday finish since 1988 – an eclectic mix of major winners, amateurs and nearly-men tucked into the Old Course birdie banquet with relish.

Leishman is still pinching himself that his wife is healthy again and a simple thing like a text message from her means far more than victory at St Andrews. “Traveling with a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old by yourself… well, it wasn’t going to happen”.

Leishman considered quitting the game while his wife was battling for her life, pondering the possibility that he’d have to raise their two sons on his own.

We were told her chances of survival was at five per cent. The only thing in our favour was she was fit, goes to the gym all the time, is young and has two young kids and a real will to live.

The wind has relented for the day-late third round of the British Open and most of the field is taking advantage of the good scoring conditions. “Thinking about trying to make birdies instead of hanging on for pars, especially on 16 and 17 with those tough pins, was pretty positive mindset to have”.

10 and 12. After a 40-foot putt crept in the side of the cup for birdie at the 16th hole, Harrington was tied for the lead on 10 under.

Leishman is having another strong Open, tying for fifth at Royal Liverpool a year ago. “It would be great to get a hold of that trophy and take it back for Audrey and the boys”.

“At the time it was just, righto, you’re going to have to give it away and stay home with the boys and be a dad, and that was the most important thing, and I was all right with that”. It just didn’t bounce as hard as I thought it might have.