New top world-ranked Scot Martin Laird returned home to his Denver residence delighted to finally silence two of his harshest critics – son Jack and daughter, Hanna.
Laird ended a more than seven-year winless drought holing a stunning 22-foot birdie putt at the second extra hole to capture a second Shriners Hospital for Children Open success and a fourth PGA Tour title.
In the process, the 37-year old Glaswegian pulled the Las Vegas victory rug right out from under one of the Tour’s new starlets, Matthew Wolff and leaving he and also fellow American Austin Cook gob-smacked as darkness descended on the TPC Summerlin course.
All three ended at 23-under par and with Laird also brilliantly leaving CBS TV commentators, including former Masters champ, Trevor Immelman often red-faced and totally speechless with some unbelievable shots.
Martin Laird silences two of his harshest critics in capturing the 2020 Shriners Hospital for Children Open. (Photo – PGA Tour/Getty)
The remarks included: “He’s got no chance from there” moments before the Scot pulled off the bunker shot of his career eagling the ninth hole.
There was another ‘downplaying’ comment when Laird had the shadow of a TV camera tower covering the full length of his 16-footer for birdie at the 15th second before Laird emerged back into sunlight gleaming with a fourth birdie of his round.
Another said: “The best he’ll make from there is ‘4’”. This was after Laird’s 17th hole tee shot cannoned off a cart part leaving Laird staring at tall trees between him and the flag. Laird brilliantly picked a tiny gap in the trees and then holed his 17-footer for a par 3’.
Though none of that mattered more to Laird than the thought of getting back to the new Denver home and ‘silence’ six-year old Jack and four-year old Hannah.
Golfbytourmiss.com was first to quizz Laird where this fourth Tour victory stacks-up in his career.
He said: “I don’t know right now, but I think when I sit back and think about it, this one might go right to the top just because it’s been a while.
“I’ve had a bunch of life changes since my last win. Now I’ve got a couple kids who kept asking me when I was going to win the trophy.
“They would see the ones that I previously won and they weren’t born when I won them, so they kept asking, Daddy, when are you going to win a trophy?”
Next for the Laird sons will be child-size Augusta National customary white caddy overalls as the win also earns the Scot a tee-time in the 2021 Masters and the chance for the boys to caddy for their father in the Masters Par-3 Contest.
He said: “There are a lot of the doors open with the win, and the Masters is one of the nice perks. You know, yeah, I’m going to enjoy them all and that’ll definitely be one of them”.
It had been 2,744 days since Laird won the 2013 Valero Texas Open and with victory affording the Scot a virtual 3-year exemption given his win was in the fifth event of the new 2020/21 season.
Victory also lifts Laird up a remarkable 270 spots to the new World No. 88 and Scotland’s top ranked male golfer, and also his highest World Ranking since missing the cut in the 2017 Scottish Open.
Struggling Robert MacIntyre has dropped 13 spots since his return from the lockdown to be now ranked No. 94.
And how about Laird’s caddy, Ryan Hogue.
First time on the bag and the Arizona professional earns at least 10% of Laird’s £Stg 967,500 ($1.26m) first prize cheque.
Laird said: “I’ve known Ryan for a long time when we were living in Scottsdale, so I’ve played a lot of golf with him and he really knows my game”.
Hogue had caddied in the recent U.S. Open for fellow Arizona pro, Marty Jertson.
