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Marc Leishman is all but assured a start at the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship courtesy of a third placing at the WGC Invitational.
Marc Leishman has put himself in a strong position heading into the US PGA Tour's $US70 million ($A101m) playoffs with a third placing behind winner Brooks Koepka at the World Golf Championships Invitational.
Leishman made a Sunday run at world No.1 Koepka but ultimately finished four shots adrift at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.
The muscular, big-hitting Koepka easily added a maiden WGC title to a trophy cabinet featuring four major championships.
Ousting overnight leader Rory McIlroy, Koepka fired a bogey-free five-under-par 65 to finish at 16 under at the elite event featuring 45 of the world's top 50 golfers.
Former US Open champion Webb Simpson (64) was runner up at 13 under while Leishman (67) was a stroke further back.
Leishman pocketed $US602,000 ($A870,000) for his week's work and jumped four spots on the world rankings to No.22.
McIlroy, playing in the final group with Koepka, was the only golfer in the top 10 on the leaderboard unable to break par - he carded a 71 to drop to a share of fourth at 11 under.
After an even-par front nine, Leishman made a back-nine charge with three straight birdies from the 10th.
Bogeys at the 13th and 15th crippled his momentum but he fought back with birdies at the 14th and 16th.
Despite falling short, Leishman was not disappointed given he jumped four spots on the PGA Tour's season-long FedEx Cup points race - meaning he is all but assured of advancing to the Tour Championship finale.
The PGA Tour's regular season concludes after this week's Wyndham Championship.
The PGA Tour's playoffs are a three-event series that will start with the top 125 on the FedEx Cup before a progressive cut is made after each event to deliver the top 30 players to the Tour Championship.
Booking a spot in the field at the Tour Championship guarantees starts in all four majors next year and the elite Players Championship.
"Yeah, today really pleasing because that seals up the Tour Championship," Leishman said after his round.
"This is a WGC; it's a big event and a tough golf course.
"It wasn't a win but still a really good finish; it was nice to see a few putts go in and a few shots go where I'm aiming.
"This will definitely give me confidence going into the three play-off events."
Cameron Smith was next best of the Australians at six under, having posted a 68 on Sunday to earn a creditable tie for 12th place.
Adam Scott signed off with his best round of the week, a 67, for a one-under total which countryman Jason Day also signed for courtesy of a closing 70.
