Martin Laird can proudly boast being the only Scot competing around the world where the name Tiger Woods is etched on a tournament trophy immediately above and below that of his own.
The trophy, the gleaming silver Arnold Palmer Invitational prize, is on display close to the first tee at this week’s host Bay Hill Club course in suburban Orlando.
Despite having to continually fight off suggestions Woods didn’t compete in the 2011 tournament, Laird battled extremely windy conditions over the final day to win a second PGA Tour event by a stroke.
Woods, who had won the tournament four years in succession from 2000 and then captured back-to-back victories in 2009 and 2010, eventually settled for a share of 24th place before returning to take out a seventh success last year.
Arnold Palmer hands Martin Laird the trophy two years ago.
“I was lucky two years because Tiger had won this event four times in a row from 2000 and then he was all set to win three in a row in 2011 and I sneaked in there to win, so that’s kind of nice,” said Laird.
“A lot of people don’t believe Tiger played that year and that I won so I have to those people he actually did play.
“Also I’ve got a nice replica of the trophy back home to prove it.”
Woods tees up this week not only looking to win for a third time this year that would send him back to World No. 1 for a first time since the last week in October, 2010 but he also is seeking to match San Snead’s PGA Tour all-time record of eight Greater Greensboro Open victories.
Laird has his own agenda and that will be to draw on those memories of two years ago and so doing end a two-year winless drought.
“In practice this week I’ve remembered the shots I played, the putts I made and the things that happened when I won two years ago,” said Laird.
“There was two standout putts near the end of my round that were pivotal and that was making a 25-footer at 15 and then a great 15-footer on 16.
“I then stood on the 17th tee knowing if I finished par-par I would win but after putting my shot over the back at 17, I managed to get up-and-down and then I two-putted the last.
“And what made it more important was that the 17th and 18th holes are probably two of the toughest closing holes on the PGA Tour.
“It was also blowing about 15 to 20mph that last day and the greens were like concrete because I hit the perfect shot into the 17th green and it just flew over the back.
“So to stand on the tee with two holes to go saying to yourself you have to par the last two to win puts even more pressure on yourself.
“Hopefully, those memories can act as an inspiration for me this week because it’s fun to come back to a place where you won before.”
And while Woods comes into the $6.2m tournament also having won two of four events this year, Laird’s not about to be intimidated by the American should Woods be on the victory prowl.
“When I first came out onto the PGA I was intimidated by Tiger as he was winning everything,” said Laird.
“But then everyone was intimidated by him, everyone and not only me as a then rookie.
“You only had to look at those final rounds and players would get close to Tiger but they would just buckle down the stretch knowing that Tiger was lurking and getting closer to them with every hole.
“His rivals would start going backwards but that’s not happening anymore.
“Everyone has got better and everyone knows how to deal with it, and you’ve just got to keep attacking and forget who is on the leader board.”
Laird will play the opening two rounds in the company of double US Open winner, Retief Goosen and American D.A. Points.
