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A mass shooting in which 12 people were killed in Virginia Beach occurred less than 2km from Australian golfer Marc Leishman's home.

Marc Leishman admits it was hard not to think about a mass shooting less than two kilometres from his US home while climbing into contention at the US PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament.

Leishman has adopted Virginia Beach, where 12 people were shot and killed on Friday at a city office, as his base.

The gunman, who died after a fierce shootout with police, was an employee at the building and some of his victims were colleagues.

Leishman said he was shocked at the news and offered condolences for the victims.

"Yeah it happened only about (1.6 kilometres) from my house; my local supermarket is within 300 (metres) of where it happened," Leishman told AAP.

"It's devastating when it happens anywhere but when it's that close to home, it's frightening."

Leishman praised the efforts of local police.

When the first report of an active shooter was made, two veteran detectives and two dog handlers from a special operations unit immediately responded.

They entered the building and immediately engaged in a "long battle" with the gunman.

"You really feel for the families and thank God the police and emergency services took care of it," Leishman said.

He was visibly shaken talking about the tragedy, after having posted a three-under-par 69 in Saturday's third round of the PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament in Ohio.

At nine under, Leishman will begin the final round six strokes behind 54-hole leader Martin Kaymer (66) while fellow Australian Adam Scott (66) is second at 13 under.