It has been four years since Martin Laird last contested The Open but he booked himself a Royal Birkdale tee time thanks to what was the disappointment of sharing third place in the rain interrupted Quicken Loans in Maryland.

The Scot posted a final round 67 to just miss out on the play off  and clearly left lamenting bogeying the last when he left his second shot short of the green from where he chipped and three putted for a bogey five that left him tied with Rickie Fowler at five under par.

Sadly, it meant Laird ending the event just a shot shy of joining the American duo of Kyle Stanley and Charles Howell 111 and with Stanley winning with a par at the first extra hole over his compatriot

Laird’s was his best finish in the Tour since a similar third to start the 2o14/15 season at the Frys.com

“Obviously I am little disappointed with my finish, but to get myself back into The Open is great”, Laird said.

“You want to be playing in it. That was the golf tournament growing up that I used to go and watch and always dreamt of playing in.  I have  been fortunate enough to play in a few. To make another one would be awful special and I would enjoy getting back over there.

“I have not played Birkdale but I am sure it is a great track.  s I said, if I get to go, it would be fun to go over there and learn the

course.

Q. You last played in an Open in 2015. What was that experience like and how would it feel to go back to Birkdale and play against the world's best golfers again?

MARTIN LAIRD: Anytime you can play in an Open, that's my favorite golf tournament of the year. As I said, that was the tournament when I was a kid I would go sit with my dad and watch.

So to have the chance to play it anytime is special, and to go back  I have heard great things about Birkdale. I do not know much about it. It would be fun to go there and learn the course and hopefully have a good week.

Q. You talked about memories of The Open. What stands out in your memory in particular?

MARTIN LAIRD: Turnberry, the year Nick Price won. I cannot remember what year that was. I was in the stands behind 17 when he holed about a 40, 50 birdie putt there. I will always remember that. That was, I think, my first one and the one I'll always remember. Ever since then, to have a chance to play in one would is special.