Lone Scot Martin Laird boosted hopes of capturing a second Valero Texas Open in four years in birding three of his closing four holes on day two of the event in San Antonio.

Laird fired off a five under par 67 to be in the clubhouse sharing fourth spot also on five under in the $US 6.2m event.

“I played really nicely today after struggling a little bit with my irons yesterday,” he said.

“I went to the range when I was done and kind of got a little thing figured out. Needed it today because it was windy and the first two holes play straight in the wind, and I hit some nice punch shots into the wind to start the day.

Martin Laird last tasted success winning the Valero Texas Open four years ago.

“That gave me a nice little start and kind of went on from there.

“And having won here before, the course sets up nice for me.

“There is a lot of the tee shots that I feel comfortable with.  I like to move the ball left to right and there seems to be a number of tee shots out here if you can cut it so that also helps.

It’s nice to the eye and that always helps, and obviously having success here in the past I come here and come back to this venue and hopefully can get up there again this week.”

American Bud Cauley heads the field adding a 66 to move to eight under par.

Laird’s showing is a best in well over two months since he finished T7th at the Waste Management Open in Phoenix.

Four years ago, Laird shot a sizzling last day 63 to deny Rory McIlroy and capture the Texas event and earn the very last invitation into the following weeks Masters.