Improved putting has been secret of Martin Laird's
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents
Move over, Rich Beem. Martin Laird just may be the poster boy for this year's edition of the PGA TOUR Play-offs for the FedExCup.
The rookie from Glasgow has moved 97 spots in the standings over the last two weeks with a tie for fourth at the Wyndham Championship in the final event of the regular season and a tie for seventh last week at The Barclays. He was 164th when he came to Greensboro and left New Jersey in 67th.
Even Laird is surprised by his rapid ascent that actually began at the RBC Canadian Open where he tied for 22nd and continued at Reno with a tie for fourth. He climbed 18 spots in each of those events to move closer to the Playoff picture.
"I read the releases and things saying there were changes to make it more volatile and you could move," Laird said. "But in terms of the actual points and how big a move I could make, I didn't know. I didn't really study it that much.
"But obviously I love it, and I'm sure there's a few guys that don't love it. But it's the Playoffs. It's like any sport; you play to get there, and when you get there, it's whoever is playing best at that time that comes out on top."
To show how fine the line can be, consider this. Laird was tied for the first-round lead at the Wyndham Championship but made the cut on the number after hitting two shots out of bounds in the second round and having to call a two-stroke penalty on himself when he forgot to replace his marker on his ninth hole of the day.
His Playoff run could very well have ended that day at Sedgefield Country Club. Laird persevered, though, shooting 64-63 on the weekend and now he's another good finish away from extending his run into the BMW Championship, which is only open to the top 70 players in the standings.
"When the second ball went out of bounds on my 13th hole on Friday, my thought went from get in good position on the weekend to I've got to play well these last five holes to even be around on the weekend," Laird said.
The rookie from Glasgow has moved 97 spots in the standings over the last two weeks with a tie for fourth at the Wyndham Championship in the final event of the regular season and a tie for seventh last week at The Barclays. He was 164th when he came to Greensboro and left New Jersey in 67th.
Even Laird is surprised by his rapid ascent that actually began at the RBC Canadian Open where he tied for 22nd and continued at Reno with a tie for fourth. He climbed 18 spots in each of those events to move closer to the Playoff picture.
"I read the releases and things saying there were changes to make it more volatile and you could move," Laird said. "But in terms of the actual points and how big a move I could make, I didn't know. I didn't really study it that much.
"But obviously I love it, and I'm sure there's a few guys that don't love it. But it's the Playoffs. It's like any sport; you play to get there, and when you get there, it's whoever is playing best at that time that comes out on top."
To show how fine the line can be, consider this. Laird was tied for the first-round lead at the Wyndham Championship but made the cut on the number after hitting two shots out of bounds in the second round and having to call a two-stroke penalty on himself when he forgot to replace his marker on his ninth hole of the day.
His Playoff run could very well have ended that day at Sedgefield Country Club. Laird persevered, though, shooting 64-63 on the weekend and now he's another good finish away from extending his run into the BMW Championship, which is only open to the top 70 players in the standings.
"When the second ball went out of bounds on my 13th hole on Friday, my thought went from get in good position on the weekend to I've got to play well these last five holes to even be around on the weekend," Laird said.
"If you had said to me then I'd be sitting here now 67th in the FedExCup points, I wouldn't have believed it, but I'll say I'm happy to be here."
Indeed. Laird actually had planned a trip back home to Scotland to see family and friends last week. But that's on hold right now, as he sees how long this Playoff ride continues.
A switch to TaylorMade's Spider putter at the Legends-Reno Tahoe Open has turned a self-described "less than average putter" into a man with confidence on the greens. Laird currently ranks 24th in putting average on the PGA TOUR, much to his surprise.
"If someone had told me that at the start of the year, I never would have thought I could have got there," he said. "That's really what it has been. I started hitting the ball a lot better at the John Deere, and my ball-striking has kind of stayed the same, but my putting has really been the big difference."
The confidence Laird has gained over the two months -- in all aspects of his game -- can't be discounted, either. A visit with his coach at the John Deere Classic began the turnaround and he's gained momentum with each successive start. The 25-year-old suddenly went from having asolutely "no confidence" to thinking "I do belong out there," he said.
Kevin Streelman has vaulted into Playoffs contention with two straight top-10s.
"The last round in Canada I played with Retief (Goosen), and I had never played with anyone of his status before," Laird said. "I wasn't really nervous; I was more excited to see how I played. I played pretty well, and I had fun."
The only other player who has approached Laird's rapid rise in the FedExCup standings is Kevin Streelman, who climbed 12 spots with a tie for sixth at Greensboro and another 65 last week when he shared fourth at The Barclays. Streelman, though, started that stretch ranked 102nd and now sits securely at No. 37.
Streelman also held the first-round lead at the U.S. Open. He made a name for himself early on, too, when he got into the Buick Invitational as an alternate and played his way into the final group on Saturday with Tiger Woods.
"He's had a great (rookie) year, never even been (on the) Nationwide (Tour) I don't think," said Laird, who played some mini-tour golf with Streelman. "It's pretty impressive what he's done this year."
Laird's performance is gaining notice, as well. And should he and Streelman extending their Cinderfella runs, it will only add to the Playoff lore.
"Obviously we're going to think it's good," Laird said. "But I think it adds to the excitement. It's not predictable. You don't know from week to week who's going to be there and who's going to be in what position. ... There's a lot of movement. You get rewarded for good play. And at the same time, if you don't play well, you do get punished."
Indeed. Laird actually had planned a trip back home to Scotland to see family and friends last week. But that's on hold right now, as he sees how long this Playoff ride continues.
A switch to TaylorMade's Spider putter at the Legends-Reno Tahoe Open has turned a self-described "less than average putter" into a man with confidence on the greens. Laird currently ranks 24th in putting average on the PGA TOUR, much to his surprise.
"If someone had told me that at the start of the year, I never would have thought I could have got there," he said. "That's really what it has been. I started hitting the ball a lot better at the John Deere, and my ball-striking has kind of stayed the same, but my putting has really been the big difference."
The confidence Laird has gained over the two months -- in all aspects of his game -- can't be discounted, either. A visit with his coach at the John Deere Classic began the turnaround and he's gained momentum with each successive start. The 25-year-old suddenly went from having asolutely "no confidence" to thinking "I do belong out there," he said.
Kevin Streelman has vaulted into Playoffs contention with two straight top-10s.
"The last round in Canada I played with Retief (Goosen), and I had never played with anyone of his status before," Laird said. "I wasn't really nervous; I was more excited to see how I played. I played pretty well, and I had fun."
The only other player who has approached Laird's rapid rise in the FedExCup standings is Kevin Streelman, who climbed 12 spots with a tie for sixth at Greensboro and another 65 last week when he shared fourth at The Barclays. Streelman, though, started that stretch ranked 102nd and now sits securely at No. 37.
Streelman also held the first-round lead at the U.S. Open. He made a name for himself early on, too, when he got into the Buick Invitational as an alternate and played his way into the final group on Saturday with Tiger Woods.
"He's had a great (rookie) year, never even been (on the) Nationwide (Tour) I don't think," said Laird, who played some mini-tour golf with Streelman. "It's pretty impressive what he's done this year."
Laird's performance is gaining notice, as well. And should he and Streelman extending their Cinderfella runs, it will only add to the Playoff lore.
"Obviously we're going to think it's good," Laird said. "But I think it adds to the excitement. It's not predictable. You don't know from week to week who's going to be there and who's going to be in what position. ... There's a lot of movement. You get rewarded for good play. And at the same time, if you don't play well, you do get punished."
Labels: Pro Men
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Thursday, August 28, 2008
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