Seven years ago this weekend, Scotland’s Martin Laird posted a final round, course-record equalling 63 and deny by two shots then World No. 2 Rory McIlroy in capturing the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio.
In the company of a second Irishman in Padraig Harrington as his last day playing partner, Laird warmed to the windy conditions coming from four shots off the lead to be six-under par through just eight holes, six-under par after 12 holes before birdies at 16 and 17.
A day earlier, Laird had ended his third round hitting a female marshal on the ankle with his errant second shot into the final green on the TPC San Antonio course but on day four the Scot hit the flagstick with his chip shot and holed the three-foot birdie putt.
Laird had not competed in San Antonio for four years when he was placed ninth.
Martin Laird and the last man into the 2013 Masters field in capturing the Valero Texas Open.
Laird arrived in ‘Alamo City’ having earned $69,200 in season 2013 but he brilliantly boosted that tally with a $1.116m first prize cheque and a two-year PGA Tour exemption.
There was a further two awards for Laird in first being presented, and as is customary, with a specially made pair of Texas Open cowboy boots but of more importance to Laird was a Masters invitation to join fellow Scots Sandy Lyle and Paul Lawrie the following week at Augusta National.
“It’s hard to believe seven years has gone so quickly,” Laird said.
“Winning the Valero was pretty special given the strength of the field and to go out and shoot a final round 63, well that is how you’d always like to win a golf tournament.
“I was top-30 off the 2010 Tour money-list that got me into the ’11 Masters and then to win the Arnold Palmer in 2012 that assured I was exempt for a few weeks later at Augusta, so to win the Valero was nice as it made it three Masters invitations in a row for me.”
Though being last into the Masters field made for a few hectic hours for Laird that particular Sunday night. There was no concern with regards a flight east to Augusta as Valero Texas Open organisers had arranged a charter flight for players and caddies teeing-up in the Masters.
“I remember we got into Augusta very late but fortunately the management company I was with was the same as Sandy’s (Lyle) so fortunately he had a spare room, so I spent what was left of Sunday night in the house,” said Laird.
“Sandy was waiting with a bottle of wine, so it was nice to share that with him. I recall him saying it was the 25th anniversary of his win and how he had won the week before Augusta in Greensboro.
“I recall also being pretty tired so it was great also to get into bed after the day I’d had.”
Lyle was then among four players to have won the Masters after winning the week prior – Ralph Guldahl in 1939, Sam Snead in 1949, Art Wall in 1959 and Lyle in 1988. Phil Mickelson became a fifth in 2006.
Laird drove down Magnolia Lane the next morning at 100/1 to match the effort of his fellow Scot but four days later found himself heading back out onto Washington Road in missing the halfway cut.
Laird may still get the chance to join Lyle at Augusta and should this COVID-19 virus fears ease and the world can get back to some normality there may just be a sufficient number of tournaments on the schedule for Laird to accomplish what he achieved seven years ago this week.
“That would be nice if it were to happen by who knows as there is still so much uncertainty,” he said
I was set to play a great run of tournaments from the Player’s leading up to the Masters.
“It was a good start too in posting a pretty decent first round 69 at the Players, and that’s the last round any of us has played.
“But I’m not bitter at all not for one second and this is not a time to be selfish when in the bigger worldwide picture people are dying from this virus.”
