Leishman, who is the highest-ranked player in the field at World No.21, believes his bond with the Brisbane-born Smith could prove pivotal to the home team’s chances.

“Having similar personalities off the golf course – but we’re both very determined on it – is a pretty good combination,” said Leishman, fresh after completing another practice round with Smith this morning.

“We’ll appear laid back I think out there … but don’t be mistaken if we look like we’re having too much fun, we’re very determined and competitive people.

“We’ve got a lot of incentive to play well this week, obviously for ourselves, for (our caddies), our families, the Australian fans, everyone.

“We’ve got a lot of incentive to play well this week, obviously for ourselves, for (our caddies), our families, the Australian fans, everyone.” – Marc Leishman

“I really want to play well and put some runs on the board this week … It would be very nice on Sunday night to have someone to celebrate with.”

The 35-year-old Leishman represented Australia at the 2016 event alongside good friend Adam Scott – and today admitted it was difficult to inform the former World No.1 that his services wouldn’t be required at Metro.

“It was a very hard phone call to make to Scotty … but equally as good to Cam,” Leishman said.

“I won’t say it was an easy decision … but Cam deserved the pick and he proved that with his play over the months following.”

Leishman, who typically favours a left-to-right ball flight, revealed today that he will be teeing off from each of the even holes during the foursomes on Friday and Sunday.

RIGHT: Smith will tee off from the odd-numbered holes during foursomes at the World Cup. PHOTO: Matt King/Getty Images.

“I’m going to tee off with Cam’s ball (Titleist) so he’s hitting his approaches with his golf ball,” said Leishman, who plays a Callaway ball.

“It was a pretty easy decision to be honest … There’s a few holes that go pretty sharp left to right – which are all even – and a few that go right to left – which are odd – so we’re both set up pretty good.”

The 25-year-old Smith, meanwhile, has extra incentive to play well this week, with Internationals captain Ernie Els currently completing a renaissance mission for the 2019 Presidents Cup,

“I’d like to think I’ve done a little bit to impress Ernie over the last year or so,” Smith said.

“Obviously I really want to get on the team, it’s been a goal of mine ever since I’ve been in the US.

“I’ve been close but not close enough – and I’ve kind of been left out of the conversation, which is fair enough, I didn’t deserve to be on the teams, but to make my way onto the (2019) team is definitely a huge goal.”