Laird 5-Under Over Four Days On Riviera’s 1st But Rues 72nd Hole Bogey.

Pacific Palisades, CA …

Martin Laird headed to a fortnight’s competition break wishing he could play the first hole at the Riviera Country Club for the remainder of his PGA Tour career.

In playing the par five opening challenge at the Genesis Open Laird produced two eagles, a birdie and a par on route to a share of eighth place at 10-under par but seven shots behind World No. 1 Dustin Johnson.

Daylight was a distant second with the 32-year Johnson, and reigning U.S. Open champion, in a class of his own and winning with scores of 66, 66, 64 and 71 to capture a 13th PGA Tour title by five shots with a 17-under par tally.

Belgium’s Thomas Pieters, and competing on an invitation, shot a sizzling last day 63 to share second place with American Scott Brown at 12-under par.

Martin Laird studies his par attempt at the 72nd hole.

Martin Laird studies his par attempt at the 72nd hole.

Laird was among the majority of the field who was at the course early Sunday to complete his third round after having slept on re-starting staring at a 16-foot for par that he duly made in an eventual round of 70 to be officially sharing 20th place at five under par ahead of a short break and straight into the last round.

On Thursday Laird found the fairway 180-yards out from the flag ahead of landing his second to three feet whereas in his fourth round, and after the deluge on Friday, the Scot had 215-yards to the flag and then proceeded to land his third to 32-feet and duly rolled in the putt.

“It was pretty amazing to be five under playing the first and overall 10-under for the tournament”, he said.

“But then I have to said the eagle today in my fourth round was a nicer one as it was just a bit short of 40-feet whereas I was hitting a 7-iron into the hole on Thursday compared a 4-iron today.

The electronic scoreboard shows Martin Laird T3rd ahead of his 12-foot putt for par at the 72nd hole.

The electronic scoreboard shows Martin Laird T3rd ahead of his 12-foot putt for par at the 72nd hole.

“Anytime you can play the first hole in two under is really pleasing and enjoying Riviera as much as I really do, it would be nice to play the first hole as a first hole at every PGA Tour event.”

However, Laird’s big disappointment was in playing the last, and where fellow Scot Colin Montgomerie had lost out in a play-off in the 1995 PGA Championship, when he teed-up then sharing third place at 11-under par but with Laird proceeding to drop a shot in two-putting from six-feet pin-high left of the flagstick in a round of a five under par 66.

Unfortunately, Laird paid a heavy price for the dropping six places to share ninth but eventually moving back to a tie for eighth.

“Overall, it’s been a good week but then I just didn’t make any putts but what a great field this week and to finish top-10 should mean a lot of FedEx Cup points and hopefully a jump up the World Rankings.

Martin Laird's par putt attempt makes its way to the hole.

Martin Laird’s par putt attempt makes its way to the hole.

“I really like this place and I just love this golf course, and it’s still in great shape after all the rain we had.  So I am pleased with me week  and it’s been nice to come here and play well.

“But in saying that this is my fifth week in a row and I am really looking forward to a break”.

And before leaving Riviera and returning to his family, Laird was full of praise for Johnson.

“I don’t think anyone can argue with the fact that over the past eight to 10 months Dustin has been one the best player out here, as every week he just seems to be in contention”, said Laird.

Martin Laird putts out for bogey at the last but dropping from a T3rd postion to finish T8th at the Genesis Open.

Martin Laird putts out for bogey at the last but dropping from a T3rd postion to finish T8th at the Genesis Open.

“He’s just a very good player”.

With the Masters now just seven weeks away the 32-year old Johnson heads to Augusta National knowing that 10 Genesis Open champions since 1992, including Fred Couples, Nick Faldo, Craig Stadler, Jose Maria Olazabal, Mike Weir (twice), Phil Mickelson (twice) Adam Scott and Bubba Watson, have also gone on to win at Augusta.

Martrin Laird climbs the stairs at the back of Riviera's 18th and heading for the scorer's room.

Martrin Laird climbs the stairs at the back of Riviera’s 18th and heading for the scorer’s room.



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