Exclusive … Laird Says The More Scots On The PGA Tour The Better

2 months ago by Comments Off on Exclusive … Laird Says The More Scots On The PGA Tour The Better

Martin Laird reckons Bob MacIntyre’s presence full-time on the PGA Tour  is a huge lift for Scottish men’s pro golf.

Laird, 41, has been used to having Scottish company competing on the Tour for well over a decade thanks to fellow countryman Russell Knox.

However, the double-Tour winning Knox lost full Tour status last year and it was only last week at the Puerto Rico Open the Inverness-born played a first Tour since the end of last year.

In fact, there were three Scots last week teeing-up on the Caribbean island with MacIntyre also contesting the event.

This week’s 50th anniversary of the Players Championship will see Laird joined by MacIntyre, and with the Denver-based Laird making a 14th appearance in the $US25m (£stg 19.45m) at Tour HQ in Ponte Vedra, Florida.

And Laird, like last week, is keen to assist MacIntyre get familiar in his debut showing on the host TPC Sawgrass course.

Laird said: “It’s great having Bob out here on the PGA Tour.  It was myself and Russell (Knox) for many years as the only Scottish guys, so it’s great to have another one out here.

“Bob is a really, really good guy and obviously, a great player having played last year in the Ryder Cup.

“I played quite a bit of golf with him when he was over here a few years ago contesting the majors.  We teamed together one year in the Zurich at New Orleans.  I played garbage (smiling) as his partner, so I didn’t help him that week.

“As I said, a nice guy and I’m glad he’s now over here full-time competing and the more Scottish-born players the better”.

Laird, and sharing 10th last week at the Puerto Open, was speaking to TourMiss and the Daily Record ahead of teeing up on Thursday in the whopping $25m flagship event.

MacIntyre, who finished just outside the top-30 will be contesting a second event in his now home Sunshine State

Though disappointing for the Oban lefty, he dropped two spots on the World Rankings to be now No. 70 and with just a fortnight before the close of Masters invitations.

MEANTIME …

Fifer Connor Syme continues his climb up the rankings, albeit slowly,  dropping a month ago to World No. 145 to now be World No. 136th.



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