Meet Martin Laird

Martin Laird-Getty Images

Most notable for his win at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in 2009, Martin Laird is quietly having a solid start to the 2011 season. The 2004 Colorado State University graduate has steadily improved his play since becoming a regular on the PGA Tour in 2008. Laird earned his status on the PGA Tour by way of the Nationwide Tour, finishing 13^th on the money list in 2007. He narrowly escaped having to go back to the Nationwide Tour in 2008, but managed to maintain his status by finishing in the last spot on the PGA Tour money list (125^th). Since then, Laird has made good on his good fortune—in 2009 he finished 65^th on the money list and 35^th in 2010.   

Judging by the start of the 2011 season, Laird is continuing his upward trend. To date Laird has earned over $600,000 in just six starts. He has four top 25’s and two top 10’s having missed one cut. Laird is currently 24^th on the money list with a long way to go in the marathon season.

If the Scotsman is going to be a permanent force on the tour, Laird will have to sharpen some of his stats. Despite being ranked 6^th in totally driving, Laird is ranked 91^st overall in driving accuracy. Laird hits about 67% of GIR’s, despite averaging over 300 yards off the tee; is ranked 121^st in proximity to the hole and yet still manages to average 4.42 birdies a round. Though Laird is poised to make the cut every time he tees it up (ranked 11^th in scoring average before the cut), but his final round scoring average is a pedestrian 71 (ranked 79^th). Strange enough, Laird is 6^th in GIR’s when faced with second shots over 200 yards, but his ranked 75^th in par 5 performance. To this point, Laird has been relying on solid putting, a sharp short game, and the ability to to score to get by. If he can sort out some his shortcomings, a good start to the year can easily turn into something bigger very quickly for Martin Laird.

Laird just started his second round and is currently tied for 5^th at this week’s Transitions Championship.