Leach, who grew up playing at Rolling Hills CC and is a past club champion, did the impossible and made golf look easy over the span of four days at a track he knows very well. Despite being extremely familiar with the property, he still had to execute which, save for three bogeys in his final, he did nearly flawlessly.
Coming into Thursday's final round, Leach held a four-shot lead over his nearest trailer, Krando Nishiba (who shot Rolling Hill CC's course record with a stunning nine-under 63 in round one). By the sixth hole, his already comfortable margin was extended to seven after he carded three early birdies. The lead could have been bigger, but Leach burned the edge with a six-foot eagle putt on the par-five third hole that just missed going in (set up by a 235-yard 4-iron on his second shot).
“My putting was the best part of my game this week,” Leach said after his final round. “In order to score here at Rolling Hills CC, you need to roll it well. This is best I’ve ever putted in a tournament.”
Over 72 holes, Leach carded 26 birdies and two eagles on his way to a dominating victory that was never in question on Thursday. With a four-round cumulative total of 267, he beat second place by six shots.
“I didn’t check the leaderboard until the 16th hole. The entire time I was just worried about myself and staying in my game.”
Leach received a hero’s welcome at the trophy presentation where members who watched him grow up at the club were on hand to see him make history at his old home course.
“I’m happy to see everyone and I’m glad my family is here to celebrate with me. I can’t wait to get in there and share this with all of them.”