WATCH: Martin Laird emotional after breaking seven-year title drought
Martin Laird couldn’t help but get a little bit choked up after clinching his first PGA Tour win since 2013 at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas.
The Scotsman overcame a closing bogey on the 72nd hole to beat Americans Matthew Wolff and Austin Cook in a three-way play-off and secure his fourth PGA Tour title.
But it’s the seven-year wait for title number four that had the 37-year-old feeling particularly grateful to come out on top – particularly as he was only able to play in Las Vegas by virtue of a sponsor’s exemption.
“It’s been a while, so…” Laird said before trailing off as his emotions got the better of him.
“You know, I’ve been working hard. Seven years since my last one, but I’ve been feeling my game now is probably as good as it has been.
“I’ve been playing well the last few weeks, I just haven’t really had the results.
“I love it here. They were nice enough to… I needed a sponsor exemption to get in this week… so a big thank you to Shriners for giving me that spot.
“But obviously I’m going to really enjoy this one.”
Now that he has another PGA Tour victory under his belt, Laird won’t have to rely on sponsor’s exemptions anymore.
Asked how the win changed his goals for the remainder of the season, Laird smiled as he fought back tears.
“I haven’t really had time to even think about that… as you can tell, it’s emotional,” he said.
“I can’t wait get back to see my kids and my wife and celebrate with them.”
Latest
-
NewsSteve Stricker makes Padraig Harrington sweat as Irishman wins US Senior Open
The pair were rival captains in last year’s Ryder Cup in Wisconsin.
-
NewsGolfers warned of further sanctions if they continue to play in LIV breakaway
The DP World Tour has issued fines of £100,000 and tournament bans to its members who played in the inaugural LIV Golf event earlier this month
-
European TourDP World Tour hits members who played inaugural LIV series with £100,000 fines
They have also been banned from several forthcoming tournaments including the Scottish Open.
-
NewsRory McIlroy not impressed as Brooks Koepka becomes latest big name to join LIV
The world number two labelled the players who have joined the new series as “duplicitous” for the way they have handled their breakaway.
-
The OpenR&A confirms LIV Golf Series players will be allowed to compete at Open
The 150th Open Championship will get underway at St Andrews in three weeks’ time.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick turns to other major winners for advice on dealing with fame
Fitzpatrick won the US Open on Sunday.
-
NewsBrooks Koepka set to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series
Koepka’s brother Chase played in the opening event at Centurion Club earlier this month.
-
US OpenGary Player urges Matt Fitzpatrick to avoid ‘poison’ of modern-day coaching
Player tells US Open champion Fitzpatrick to learn from mistakes of recent major winners, saying: “The teaching today is the worst it has ever been.”
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick’s caddie Billy Foster ready for ‘long party’ after US Open win
Foster won his first major after a 40-year career which includes spells working for the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick backed to become a dominant force after winning first major
The Englishman claimed his first major title at Brookline.