LIV Golf pro heading back to The Open in 2025 after three-year absence

LIV's Marc Leishman has booked his spot into golf's oldest major through the Australian Open. 

Leishman finished in a tie for third at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, four shots behind the surprise winner Ryggs Johnston. 

The former PGA Tour pro nabbed the final spot on offer Down Under courtesy of his higher world ranking. 

Leishman has not played in an Open since the landmark 150th at St Andrews in 2022. 

His LIV teammate Cameron Smith won the Claret Jug then and, of course, is exempt into the major as past champion until the age of 60. 

Meanwhile, Leishman has been frozen out after he tumbled down the OWGR.

He is currently ranked No. 537, though that will change when the rankings are updated next week. 

Leishman has history with The Open. 

He finished runner-up in the 2015 Open at St Andrews that Zach Johnson won.

Johnson prevailed in a three-way playoff with Leishman and Louis Oosthuizen. 

Leishman now doesn't have to worry about taking part in final qualifying next year. 

England's Justin Rose grabbed his spot into the 2024 Open at Royal Troon earlier in the year through the 36-hole qualifier and almost won the final men's major of the year. 

Leishman said: "It's nice not to have to do the qualifier – 36 holes in one day at my age is not a whole lot of fun.

"I'm very excited to get back to Portrush. I had a great time there last time, I didn't play great, but I really like the course and enjoy everything that Northern Ireland has to offer."

Along with the aforementioned Johnston, Curtis Luck also qualified for next year's Open. 

The 153rd Open will be played at Royal Portrush from 13-20 July 2025.

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