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Marc Leishman is gunning for a second BMW Championship trophy as he attempts to book a ticket to the US PGA's Tour Championship in Atlanta.
Precariously placed in the FedEx Cup standings, Marc Leishman isn't at the BMW Championship just to clinch a spot at the US PGA's 30-man season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.
Leishman is intent on winning the trophy for a second time, having taken out the second playoff event in 2017 with a runaway five-stroke victory.
Sitting in 35th place, victory at Caves Valley on Sunday would more than seal a tee time in Atlanta next week.
"I know I have to play good this week to get in. Probably going to take a top 10," Leishman said.
"But you don't come to a tournament trying to get a top 10. You come here trying to leave with a BMW Championship trophy.
"I've left with it before, I know how it feels and I'd love to do that again.
"I come here playing to win. My game is in decent shape. I just need to make a few putts, and hopefully I can give myself that chance."
Leishman has a proud record of qualifying for the FedEx Cup playoffs 13 times, missing the 70-man field for the BMW Championship only once during that time.
"It's good to obviously get here 12 out of 13 years. I think the one year I missed I was 71 or 72 (in the standings). It was frustrating," he said.
"I guess I don't change too much. I know what works for me. Having the same caddie, same coach, same wife that whole time.
"Yeah, it's just a recipe that works for me and hope it keeps working."
Last time he won the BMW Championship four years ago, Leishman did so with a tournament-record winning score of 23-under par.
While that was at Conway Farms in Illinois, the 37-year-old says he feels equally at home at Caves Valley in Maryland.
"It's run by the same organisation. They set the courses up pretty similar," he said.
"Yeah, it's great to come back. Obviously very good memories at this tournament and hoping to create some more good ones this week."
Leishman will play the first two rounds with fellow Australian Cam Davis, who is just one spot behind in 36th in the standings, and American Cameron Tringale.
Countryman Cameron Smith, flying high in third position in the race for the $US15 million ($A20.6 million) FedEx Cup bonus, is relishing the chance to lock horns again with series leader Tony Finau and world No.1 John Rahm.
Smith out-duelled Rahm down the stretch during Monday's final round of the Northern Trust Open in New Jersey, only to succumb to Finau in a sudden-death playoff.
"I feel very confident in my game," Smith said. "I'd back myself against anyone at the minute, and yeah, I'm ready to go."
Matt Jones, in 42nd spot, is the only other Australian in the field, needing to climb at least 12 places to make it to East Lake for the climax of the season from September 2-5.
