Marc Leishman decided to hit the gym for his Adelaide preparation and his Aussies teammates talked openly about not trying too hard to win after their 2023 experience proved overwhelming despite a wealth of worldwide experiences.
That extra focus didn’t prevent extreme first tee nerves on Friday, with a bigger crowd than last year, before at least three members of “Ripper GC” settled enough to ensure they remain in contention for a potential $6 million payday.
Matt Jones, who was denied an ace on the par three 14th by a matter of centimetres as he shot a six-under round of 66, said wanting to win too much hurt the cause last year and a mindset change helped.
“I think that probably happened last year more so than this year. I think we came in a little more relaxed this year,” he said.
“I said to Leish’s caddie on the first tee shot, I said that’s the most nervous I’ve been for a long time and it doesn’t takes a lot to get nervous in golf nowadays for us for me anyway. But that was OK.
“I know last year, we all wanted to play well. And we didn’t. And I think this year will be a little more relaxed and just the let the golf course come to us and not try and push anything and just play our game.”
Leishman’s key preparation change was revealed in a jibe from team captain Cam Smith who said his long-time friend had hit the gym which was “pretty rare” and the Victorian conceded he needed to do something because of what was at stake.
“I have actually been in the gym. I wanted to get in somewhat decent shape, not just for this week but for life,” Leishman, who opened with a five-under 67, said.
“I’m playing a lot of basketball with my boys now, I don’t want to be too slow and get beaten by too much.
“But it’s just about feeling better in yourself. It’s not good when you look in the mirror and swear at yourself, which is what I did just after Christmas. It was pretty ordinary.”
Leishman said the raft of low opening round scores was evidence of the physical and mental shape players needed to be in to compete on the LIV tour, despite detractors keen to paint it as a lower standard of golf.
He said the “nervous energy” he still feels on the first tee showed how much it meant to play well.
“Now we’re playing less it means a lot,” he said.
“I mean, everyone’s so good out here. So you know, there’s no average players out here.
“They are big tournaments, you’re playing for a lot of money and a team and you know your teammates, there’s a lot of people to play for, so it’s good to feel like nervous energy every now and again.”