With the anniversary of wife Audrey's life-threatening illness a relic of 2016, Marc Leishman believes his Masters focus will be greater than ever at Augusta National this week.
Leishman admits the emotional one-year mark of the toxic shock syndrome that nearly claimed his wife in April 2015, and forced his withdrawal on the eve of the Masters, torpedoed his 2016 Augusta campaign.
The Victorian native carded rounds of 74 and 77 to miss the cut at last year's first major.
"Last year was a strange year being back with all the emotions of the one-year anniversary since (Audrey's illness)," Leishman told AAP.
"This year is going to be a lot easier, mentally, and less emotional. I can concentrate on playing good golf instead of thinking about other things."
The 33-year-old arrived at Augusta on Sunday with Audrey and children Harvey, 5, and Ollie, 3, who will take part the annual Par-3 Tournament.
"Wednesday at Augusta is Audrey's favourite day of the year, so we're looking forward to that," he said.
"It's special to have her and the boys take part in such a great family experience," said Leishman, who tied for fourth place in 2013.
Enjoying sensational form on the US PGA Tour this season, Leishman booked one of the last remaining Masters spots with his victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Florida's Bay Hill in March.
It was the Leishman's first Tour title since 2012 and came after five top-25 finishes from seven events this season.
"I'm really excited to be at Augusta; this time last month I wasn't in the Masters," said Leishman.
"It's a place, I love and a place that's hard to sit back and watch if you've been there and played well there.
"It's only early in the week, but my form has been good leading in. I'm feeling confident over the ball and the putter is still feeling good in my hands."
The Warrnambool native backed up his Palmer tournament triumph with a final-16 berth at the World Golf Championships-Match Play in Texas, before taking a much needed week's rest at his home in Virginia before the Masters.
"I didn't get to celebrate the win at Bay Hill as much as I would've liked, so I caught up with the boys at home and reminisced about the win," said Leishman.
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