Martin Laird muscled his way into a share of third place and just one shot from the lead after two rounds of the Wyndham Championship at Greensboro, North Carolina.
Laird picked off seven birdies including three in succession from his 12th hole in a round of a four under par 66 and a nine under par total on the Sedgefield Country Club course.
Scotland’s Martin Laird chasing a first victory since winning last year’s Valero Texas Open. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
It put the Scot just a stroke adrift of the leading American duo of Heath Slocum and Scott Langley, and each posting 65s for 10-under par totals.
Laird teed-up in the $US 5.3m event lying 136th on the FedEx Cup points and needing to be inside the top-125 on Sunday night to be assured of qualifying for the start next Thursday of the four-event FedEx Cup Play-Off Series in New Jersey.
“I’m one back from the lead with two rounds to go, so I’m trying now to win the golf tournament,” he said.
“It’s important for me to get into the FedEx Cup Play Offs but right now the important thing for me is to win and right now I’m in a great spot going into the weekend.
“If I do get into next week it’s an added bonus but I want to have a shot at winning this tournament come Sunday.”
But while Laird boosts hope of a fourth PGA Tour success, and a first since capturing last year’s Valero Texas Open, fellow Scot Stephen Gallacher arrived home this morning (SAT) having missed out on gaining his PGA Tour card for the 2014/15 season.
Gallacher, needing to finish top-15 in Greensboro, crashed out with scores of 71 and 76 for a seven over par 147 total.
“I came hereto give it a go and it just didn’t work out, so I’m not overly disappointed,” said Gallacher.
“I’ve got the next two events on the European Tour to contest before Ryder Cup qualifying ends, so if I do well in those two you never know.
“What I will do next year is play a few more events over here around the Majors and the WGCs and see how it pans out that way.”
