Marc Leishman calls The Open pace-of-play 'tough to deal with'

Marc Leishman battled difficult conditions to card a 2-over 73 during his first round at The Open Championship in three years, but he admitted frustration with the pace-of-play at Royal Portrush on Thursday.

The Australian also made a thinly-veiled reference to the quicker rounds he regularly plays during LIV Golf's three-day events.

"Felt like we were on the golf course for about 12 hours," Leishman told reporters after his round. "We've been on the course for three hours through eight holes. That was tough to deal with, especially coming from somewhere where we play in under 4 1/2 every week.

Leishman should have more control over the length of his round on Friday, when he tees off in the first group of the day along with Stewart Cink and Italy's Matteo Manassero. Leishman will have one eye on the cut line on Friday as he also tries to close the gap between himself and the leaders.

His card on Thursday included three birdies against five bogeys, including a three-putt bogey on the 18th hole.

"You got to deal with all that sort of stuff, and I felt like I dealt with it decently well. Just got a little frustrated there," he said. "I thought I was playing really good and not getting anything out of it, but the conditions were tough. Hopefully just get a good one going in the morning."

This is Leishman's first trip to The Open since 2022, having qualified for his 12th appearance at the Australian PGA Championship in December. While he has a best finish at the event of a T5 at Royal Liverpool in 2014, Leishman has missed the cut in each of his past three appearances at the event -- a streak that began at Royal Portrush in 2019.

"Unfortunately, pissed off at that on the last. That's golf," he said. "Try to fight back tomorrow."

--Field Level Media