Leishman ends doubts with breakthrough LIV Golf title

The individual title had been a long time coming for the 41-year-old Australian, a six-time PGA Tour winner, who was among the early players to join the Saudi-backed league in 2022.

Leishman finished at six-under 210 at Trump National Doral, one shot better than a hard-charging Charl Schwartzel (66).

"Of course you doubt yourself, especially after a week like I had in Singapore," said Leishman, who tied for 51st in Singapore in the most recent LIV event.

"I played terribly. I've played well in a lot of LIV events. I've had chances to win, haven't won. You wonder if you're going to win again.

"It's been the greatest. I've been so happy. I've been the happiest person out here."

Sergio Garcia made things interesting when he birdied the 17th to get to five under for the tournament, but the Spaniard put a ball in the water on the par-4 18th and closed with a bogey, placing third at four under with a 71.

"I knew he'd birdied 17. I always watch the leaderboards," Leishman said. "I saw that. I'm like, 'Wow, I need to birdie this.' I knew Charl had one to play, so that was a birdie hole today."

Leishman, in fact, made pars on his last eight holes after making four birdies through the first 10, but that was enough.

Leishman, captain Cameron Smith, Lucas Herbert and Matt Jones combined to go 5-under-par in the third round to post a winning team score of 4 over, eight shots better than DeChambeau's Crushers GC in second place.

"It just goes to show the player he is," Masters-bound Smith said of Leishman. 

"I think he's been knocking on the door now for a few years, and whether things haven't gone his way or he hasn't had the greatest back nine, it was nice to see him out there in really tough conditions today on probably the toughest golf course we've played and get it done."

DeChambeau fell out of contention with a 74 and placed fifth at two under.