Marc Leishman's smile said it all when he saw his wife Audrey waiting for him behind the 18th green at TPC Sawgrass.
Having fashioned a smart three-under 69 to be two shots off the opening round lead at the Players Championship, Leishman embraced Audrey on a golf course for the first time since she almost lost her life to toxic shock syndrome.
Leishman has produced inspired golf since his return following her serious illness last month, determined to have even more perspective than already comes naturally for the laidback country Victorian.
"I didn't actually see her until I putted out, but yeah, that was really good to see her sitting up there on top of the hill," Leishman said.
"From where she has come from about a month ago, it didn't look like she was going to be around, and then four or five weeks later, to be seeing her up on the back of the green when I'm playing, that's pretty special.
"She's an inspiration for sure.
"I took that for granted a little bit before but definitely not anymore."
Still unable to walk the course in her weakened condition, Audrey was just happy to be back out amongst her tour friends.
"It was really evidence that I'm OK again," the mother of two said.
"It was great to see him on a golf course in person again and afterwards we spent the afternoon at the beach as a family, which was very good for my heart."
While his family is clearly his focus, Leishman is primed to push for what would be the biggest win of his career.
He also knows a good week would lock up a spot in the US Open in June.
"I've got to keep popping my head up there on the leaderboards a bit more frequently, I know that," he said.
"But I felt good out there and gave myself plenty to build on for the rest of the week."
Share
