Marc Leishman moved into contention at the European tour's season-opening Australian PGA Championship on Friday after shooting a 68 to sit two shots behind surprise clubhouse leader Brett Rankin at Royal Queensland.

Home hero Leishman, a six-times winner on the U.S. tour, mixed five birdies with four bogeys after starting a roller-coaster second round from the back nine, keeping in touch with a long chip-in for eagle on the par-five seventh.

"I've won big tournaments before so I know how to win," the burly 42-year-old told reporters.

"I feel like I’m doing everything that I can do and playing well. So hopefully I can just execute on the weekend and get over the line."

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