The 42-year-old former Greg Norman Medal winner finished third for the third-straight year at the Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane on Sunday.
Leishman, who lost a playoff for the British Open a decade ago and has two US Masters top-four finishes, looked in complete control at Royal Queensland GC in search of a maiden major title on home soil.
But at 15 under, three behind ice-cold Spanish 23-year-old David Puig, it was another podium to go with a runner-up finish behind Cameron Smith in 2018.
So on Leishman goes to Royal Melbourne to compete for Australian golf's crown jewel, which this year carries the bonus of a Masters ticket for the victor.
McIlroy, who clinched a career grand slam with an exhilarating Masters victory in April, will be there too.
"It's a little frustrating, but the signs are really good for next week," said Leishman, who was ranked as high as world No.12 in 2017.
"I'm playing some of the best golf I've ever played.
"Driving it good, irons are good, putter feels great. Just hopefully I can … make a few putts next week.
"I know where my misses are going to go, wedges have been really good, course management's been really good.
"I'm just making good decisions, and I think that comes with being fresh as well.
"It's easier to make good decisions when you are not playing quite as much golf. Playing less golf's been really good for me."
Leishman's third place at last year's Australian Open secured him a return to the British Open, an invitation that is up for grabs again this time.
"It's a big week," he said. "You can have a good week there and it saves a bit of stress, counts for a lot, and for everyone in the field that carrot's going to be dangling.
"When you're out there it's something you might think about, coming down the stretch on Sunday.
"I've been there (the Masters and British Open) a few times and contended there.
"Hopefully it's a little less pressure on me - knowing I've been there and done it - and it works out in a good way."
McIlroy, who ran down Adam Scott to win the Australian Open in 2013 at Royal Sydney, will assume the spotlight this week in the tournament's return to the Melbourne Sandbelt.
"One of the great golf courses in the world," New Zealand's two-time PGA Tour winner Ryan Fox said.
"I played the Aussie Masters there in 2013 and I've got great memories of the golf course.
"I'm looking forward to seeing it again next week and it's a real treat to play a golf course like that."
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