Laird clinches maiden PGA Tour title

Martin Laird clinched his maiden PGA Tour win after a three-way play-off at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals Children Open.

The 26-year-old, who now receives a two-year tour exemption, carded a final round 68 in Las Vegas to finish on 19-under-par alongside George McNeill and Chad Campbell.

Campbell was eliminated at the second play-off hole before a bogey by O’Neill at the next gave Laird two putts for the title.

The victory makes Laird the first Scot since Sandy Lyle at the Masters in 1988 to win a top tier PGA Tour event and moves him up to 62nd on the US money list.

“The most nervous I was was the first few holes starting out, and then coming in there I was amazed how calm I was coming down the stretch,” said the Glaswegian after picking up a winner’s cheque for £462,000.

“When I got into the play-off I was surprised; I kind of chilled out a little. I was pretty nervous the last two or three holes in regulation, and once I got there in the play-off I kind of relaxed a little more.”

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

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