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Laird nears automatic qualification for all majors and WGC events

Scotland’s Martin Laird closed in on a spot in the world’s top 50 with a fifth place finish in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The US-based 27-year-old bounced back from a second round 75 in the $5m event with rounds of 69 and 67, to finish as the best-placed Scotsman, six shots behind winner Martin Kaymer.

As well as receiving almost €125,000 in prize money, Laird now moves up to 57th in the Official Golf World Rankings, just short of automatic entry into all four majors and WGC events as earned by players in the top 50.

Asked if it was his ambition to break into the golf’s elite in 2010, Laird said: “I wouldn’t say it’s a goal by the end of the season but it’s a goal in the near future.

“My goal every year is to get a little better and if I do that, I’ll eventually get where I want to be.

“I definitely proved myself this week that I have got better, because probably a year or two ago, I couldn’t have played this well.”

Laird also told of his hopes of representing Scotland in the now biennial World Cup following a recent discussion with countryman Stephen Gallacher as the only two Scots inside the world’s top 100.

“We had breakfast one morning and we were talking about that it was a shame that they decided to go every two years.

“Obviously it would be exciting to go play for Scotland. He’s had a great year and playing good again and I’ve obviously been playing well. I think we could be a pretty formidable team if we were to play in that.”

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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.

Editor of bunkered

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