Australian golf star Marc Leishman, who left the PGA Tour to LIV Golf in 2022, has no plans to chase world ranking points amid his absence from golf’s four major championships.

Since joining the controversial Saudi-backed league, Leishman’s position in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) has plummeted, as LIV Golf events still don’t count for OWGR points. The former world No. 12, a regular at the majors from 2016 through the summer of 2022 when he switched sides, hasn’t appeared in a major since.

Yet, Leishman seems unfazed by his fall from the rankings, expressing contentment with his current schedule and prioritizing family time and enjoyment of the game over chasing points. “I’m not going to go chasing world ranking points,” he stated to Fox Sports while back home for the Australian PGA Championship.

“I’m very happy playing the amount of events that I’m playing. Having the time to prepare for tournaments, the time with the kids and enjoying my golf more. I’m not saying I don’t want to be in them (the majors). I do want to be in them, but I’m not going to go chasing them and having that as the only thing I’m worried about.

“I’m really enjoying my golf so much now, more than I ever have, and I want to continue to do that, and that lends itself to the best golf. If I can play the majors, great. If I don’t, I’m still very happy.”

He’s set to soak up the chance to score crucial ranking points at this week’s tournament down under. The current competition, enjoying dual recognition by both the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia, extended an invite to top-tier golfer Leishman, who’s joining forces with LIV Golf chum Cam Smith. The Ripper GC duo are neck and neck on the scoreboard, each carding a stellar four-under-par 67 in the first stretch.

The initial day saw Leishman bag six birdies, marking a solid start to the competition. However a deluge in Brisbane led to a suspended game and a drenched course. The event has been reduced to 54 holes, with the comeback teeing off bright and early Saturday at 6am. local time. Leishman and ace buddy Smith are eyeing the prize; they’re trailing kingpin Cristobal Del Solar by just a stroke, with only 36 rounds between them and victory.