Warrnambool golfer Marc Leishman welcomes first daughter Eva

The Warrnambool born-and-raised professional golfer and his American wife Audrey welcomed daughter Eva into the world on July 6.

Her arrival came just over two years after Audrey almost died due to a battle with respiratory distress and  toxic shock syndromes.

Leishman, already a dad to Harvey, 5, and Ollie, 3, said Eva was delivered by C-section weighing 3.23 kilograms (7.2lbs).

The American-based sportsman spent time with his new bundle of joy before flying to England for the British Open – a major he finished tied for second in two years ago.

“It was unlikely we were ever going to have more kids and it looked like I wasn’t even going to have a wife there for a while, so we call her own miracle baby,” Leishman said.

“To have a little girl and really complete our family has been great.

“We're just lucky that everything went well with the birth and they're both healthy.

“It’s been a busy week-and-a-half but it’s been good, she’s been sleeping really well.”

Audrey spent time in an induced coma when she fell ill in late March 2015, spending 10 days in hospital.

She was given a five per cent chance of survival but pulled through.

The couple formed the Begin Again Foundation to help other people who find themselves in tough situations.

Leishman said a C-section was planned for their third child given Audrey’s past health troubles.

But he said being at the birth would have trumped the British Open, if the two did clash.

“I really want to play the British Open but family always comes first,” Leishman said.

The world number 34  golfer will return to his Virginia Beach home to spend time with his growing family following the British Open.

His parents, Warrnambool-based Paul and Pelita, will meet their new granddaughter when they visit America in September.

The Standard, Warrnambool