Laird proud to be only Scot

Martin Laird says he will go into this week’s US Open at Bethpage Black proud to be flying the flag for Scotland.
Martin Laird says he will go into this week’s US Open at Bethpage Black proud to be flying the flag for Scotland.
The 26-year-old from Glasgow will be the lone Scot in the field for the second major of the year and it is a mantle he is perfectly happy with.
“I didn’t you know until a few days ago and it’s a shame that I’m the only Scotsman,” Laird said. “At the same time I’m proud to be the only Scotsman.
“Hopefully I can put up a good performance because I’m sure there’ll be a lot of people in Scotland watching, not just to watch me but to watch the US Open and it will be good to have my name up there.”
Arizona-based Laird, whose home club is Hilton Park, just north of Glasgow, graduated from Colorado State University in 2004 and has yet to play a professional event on the European Tour.
The Scot got his first taste of the par-70, 7,426-yard Bethpage Black course yesterday in between showers and thunderstorms that curtailed practice late in the afternoon.
“It’s my first time here and it’s very good,” he continued. “It’s playing very long with all the rain here and drivers are just stopping where they land.
“It’s a big golf course, that’s the reputation it’s got and it certainly was the case today.”
Despite failing to reach the weekend at last week’s St Jude Classic in Tennessee, his first missed halfway cut since April, Laird is happy with his game going into the US Open.
He said: “I’m starting to play nicely and I’m hitting the ball really good. I missed the cut by one last week in Memphis but it was one of those cuts where I played well and got nothing out of it.
“It might be a blessing in disguise because I got here a couple of days early and got a little rest.
“I’m feeling my game is coming around nicely so I’m looking forward to it.”
Laird is continuing to feel the benefits of working with a new coach, having made the switch in April after missing eight cuts from his first nine events of the year.
The move reaped immediate dividends as he claimed a top-25 finish at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
“I’ve been playing nice and I just need to throw that one good round in, just one good Saturday or Sunday round and I’ll be fine,” Laird said.
“But I’m still happy, working with the same guy, doing some good stuff and looking forward to this week.”
Latest
-
PGA Tour
Injury rules Open champion Cameron Smith out of BMW Championship
The Australian world number two currently sits third in the FedEx Cup standings, 1,132 points behind leader Will Zalatoris.
-
PGA Tour
Will Zalatoris triumphs in dramatic playoff to claim first PGA Tour win
The American defeated Austria’s Sepp Straka in three extra holes at TPC Southwind – despite not making a birdie.
-
News
Ewen Ferguson seals wire-to-wire victory at ISPS Handa World Invitational
The 26-year-old Scot also won the Qatar Masters in March.
-
Ryder Cup
New Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald motivated by ‘bitter’ memories of 2021 defeat
Stenson was stripped of the role for breaking his contract by joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
The task facing Luke Donald after replacing Henrik Stenson
Stenson was appointed on March 15 and said he was fully committed to a role before signing with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald named Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
Donald replaces Henrik Stenson after he was stripped of the role.
-
PGA Tour
Tony Finau claims second straight PGA Tour victory
The American won the 3M Open in his previous outing.
-
News
Henrik Stenson cushions Ryder Cup blow with £3.6m debut win in LIV Golf
The Swede was stripped of his role as Europe captain after joining the Saudi-backed breakaway tour.
-
News
Former Masters champion Bubba Watson becomes latest player to join LIV Golf
The left-hander is currently sidelined by a knee injury and is not expected to play until next season,
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald tipped to replace Henrik Stenson as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
The Swede lost the job 127 days after his appointment following his decision to join the LIV Golf series.