BURST OF BIRDIES HELPS MARTIN LAIRD

MAKE THE CUT ON NATIONWIDE TOUR

Former Scottish youths champion Martin Laird from Glasgow made the cut with nothing to spare at the halfway stages of this week's Nationwide Tour in America - the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational at The OSU Club, Columbus in Ohio.

Martin, pictured right, has had a double bogey 6 early in both rounds of 75 and 71 for 146 over the par-72 course.

The former Colorado State University player "saved" himself in the second round with birdies at the eighth, ninth, 11th and 12th when he was in danger of slipping over what is a high cut mark for the highly competitive Nationwide Tour.

Richard Johnson from Wales is lying joint third on 139, two shots behind joint leaders Danile Summerhays and Jason Allred.

LEADERBOARD

Par 144 (2 x 72). Players from US unless stated

137 Daniel Summerhays 68 69, Jason Allred 69 68.

139 Richard Johnson (Wales) 70 67, Chris Nallen 67 72, Kelly Grunewald 68 71.

Other qualifiers:

143 Gary Christian (England) 72 71.

144 Keith Nolan (Ireland) 73 71.

146 Martin Laird (Scotland) 75 71.