Scottsdale, AZ …
Martin Laird has his sights set on a Masters invitation heading into the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
The Scot, who lives with wife and two children some 20-minutes from the TPC Scottsdale course, posted a six under par 65 to muscle his way to second place at 15-under par and just a shot from the lead.
Korean Byeong Hun An, who captured the 2015 BMW PGA at Wentworth, also signed for a 65 to lead by one as he strives for a maiden PGA Tour triumph.
Martin Laird in contention to win after a 65 on day three (Photo – Getty)
Laird collected his third victory on the Tour nearly four years ago on a similar style course in Texas and if he should succeed it would mean an automatic invitation to April’s Masters.
The last time Laird contested the Masters was in 2013 and a week after he denied Rory McIlroy to capture the Valero Texas Open that secured Laird the very last invitation into the year’s traditional first Major.
And helping the Scot, who wore a near Augusta green coloured shirt on day three, in that goal is his fondness for the desert-like course and the user-friendly Phoenix fans.
“Any time you’re in the mix, it’s fun, especially when it’s a home tournament,” he said.
“I have friends that follow me that don’t normally get to watch me play. You know, I’m going to enjoy it tomorrow and soak up the atmosphere and see what happens.”
Laird has got better with each round having started with a 67 on day one and then added a 66 in Friday’s second round ahead of his 65 today on day three.
And the key to Laird’s strong showing is due to the shortest club in his bag – the putter.
The Glasgow-born Laird had just 24 putts on day two.
“I am really pleased as I played really nicely all day really today, tee to green,” he said.
“I putted really nicely again. Yesterday was a little scrappy and putted well. It felt good to be out there today. I felt like I had control of my golf ball today, which is good.”
And here it other questions put to Laird post his round.
Q. Similar position a couple years ago. Chance to win here. What have you learned from 2015 that maybe you can change the outcome here come Sunday?
MARTIN LAIRD: Yeah, you know, I came close in ’15. I’d say I’m definitely better at coping with the crowds and all the mayhem the last three holes. Hopefully tomorrow, if I’m in the same position, I can handle it better than I did a few years ago.
Q. You talked about the home course advantage. You practice here a couple of times a week when you’re home. How critical can that be for you with 18 holes to go?
MARTIN LAIRD: Yeah, it’s like I said earlier, I feel really comfortable on these greens. They are kinda tricky if you don’t play the Valley effect on them. I have been putting really nicely all week. Hopefully I can keep that going tomorrow. I definitely feel comfortable on them.
Q. A great way to finish with a birdie on 18. How good does that feel to give you momentum going into tomorrow? MARTIN LAIRD: Yeah, it’s always nice to finish with birdie. I had a great drive on 17 to the front edge and three-putted from, I don’t know, 110 feet or something. You know, I felt like maybe I let one get away there, but really nice to finish on 18 with a 3.
