Defending champion Martin Laird was pleased with his opening round defence of his Valero Texas Open title on  TPC San Antonio course.

Laird emerged from a two-and-a-half delay to the start of play before walking off just at 3.15pm local time with level par 72 in the $US 6.2m event.

Martin Laird 2013 Valero Texas Open tribute at entrance to TPC San Antonio. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

The Scot picked up three birdies and an equal number of bogeys to be just four shots behind American Pat Perez who carded a round of 68 while playing partner Phil Mickelson, and competing in the event for a first time since his rookie season in 1992, struggling in doubling the last in a score of 77.

It sent Mickelson to the very bottom of the leader board and in what was the five-time Major winner’s poorest score in 25 rounds in the 2013/14 PGA Tour wraparound schedule.

A spectator seeking Mickelson’s autograph on a 2010 Masters flag asked if his game was in good shape ahead of the Masters and he responded:  “No, not at this stage”.

Laird has staked his claim in joining Mickelson on a successful defence of the Valero Texas Open given he will not compete in next week’s final Masters invitation qualifier, the Shell Houston Open.

However while Laird would dearly love to repeat his efforts from last year, he was just more pleased to get his round completed.

“The alarm went off at 5.45am today and then with the fog delay we didn’t tee off to about 10.30, so it’s been a really long day,” he said.

“To walk off now with a 72 is pretty pleasing as I scrambled hard all day, so it was not a straight forward level par.

“It was tough out there and really easy to make a bogey on any hole and while there is a couple of holes I would like to replay, I probably would have taken that on the first tee.”

And while Mickelson and 20-year sensation Jordan Spieth, and the other member of Laird’s group, drew much of the attention there was plenty of support for Laird.

Laird’s picture holding the trophy not only appears on the 5,000 room cards printed for use in the on-course JW Marriott Hotel but also on banners, programs, entry tickets, draw sheets and also drink coasters in the public and corporate enclosures.

As well, there is a special tribute set aside honouring Laird’s achievement when you entered the TPC San Antonio clubhouse.

“Any time you play with a player of Phil’s stature you are going to be second fiddle which is understandable but there were plenty out there today still congratulating me on my win last year, and also thanking me for coming back to defend as I was always planning,” he said.

Martin Laird signed items following his 2013 Valero Texas Open victory.

Martin Laird’s picture adorns daily draw sheets for the 2014 Valero Texas Open.