Martin Laird contemplates a possible Ryder Cup qualification after a strong start on PGA Tour
Martin Laird, the sturdy Scotsman who surged to the top of the leaderboard at the season-opener Hyundai Tournament of Champions, finishing as runner-up, is now contemplating a Ryder Cup qualification for this year.
Laird came out to be the only serious threat on the final day of the event, when he constantly kept challenging Steve Stricker for the top slot.
Stricker, who started off the final round with a strong five-stroke lead, lost several precious points on the front nine, when he succumbed to the treacherous Plantation Course at Kapalua, Hawaii.
Laird, who had played brilliantly in the opening rounds, moved to close in on Stricker with three consecutive birdies on the front.
He stumbled on two bogeys while making the turn and lost all hope of surging to the top when Stricker regained composure to card three birdies on the back nine.
"I think probably the most underrated player in the world is Steve Stricker," Laird said after closing his round for six-under, 67, with an aggregate of 20-under, 272.
Laird managed to sink no fewer than five birdies in the last seven holes to stay in contention but lost to the rampaging Stricker by three shots.
A graduate of University of Colorado, Laird has played predominantly on the PGA Tour, after turning professional in 2004.
Like many of the young graduates, the Scotsman started off his professional career on the Nationwide Tour and switched over to mainstream PGA after qualifying for the same in 2006.
His first PGA Tour victory came in the year 2009, when he took the better of the field in a three-man Playoff at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
For the moment, Laird has set his eyes for the coveted Ryder Cup berth, scheduled at Medinah Country Club.
Laird said, "I've been saying the last month or two, I want to get off to a quick start this year and get my name up there as a name that's in contention for the team. Obviously coming out here and playing like that has done that for me, but I reckon I need to win at least once, maybe twice, to get on that team on points".
Laird is well aware of the formidable foes on the European Tour who have a strong chance to qualify for the 12-member team, given their trailblazing performances in the previous year.
"I'm excited about the first part of my schedule," he added.
Four of the top ranked players, the world’s number one Luke Donald, number two Lee Westwood, number three Rory McIlroy and number four Martin Kaymer, all have more or less already qualified for the team, making it all the more difficult to compete for the rest of the eight places.
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