MARTIN LAIRD THINKS HE COULD REPEAT MONTY'S 1999 HOME WIN
FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By ALASDAIR REID
In its 40-year history, the Barclays Scottish Open has thrown up just one home winner, but as the event makes its first appearance at the Castle Stuart course near Inverness this week Martin Laird believes his game is getting into the kind of shape that would allow him to match Colin Montgomerie's 1999 triumph at Loch Lomond.
Laird's rise to the top of his sport went mostly unnoticed by most of his compatriots before his sensational victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational event in Orlando earlier this year thrust him into the spotlight.
That win put the 28 year-old in the front rank of Scottish sportsmen, but it has also had the effect of cranking up the expectations that surround him.
“I think more people will know me after winning there,” Laird said. “But I love coming back and playing in front of a home crowd as I only get to do it once or twice a year.
"I can go to an American tournament and go unnoticed for the whole week if I'm not playing great.
“I obviously want to come back here and play well. I don't know if that's putting more pressure on me. I put plenty of pressure and expectations on myself.”
Laird's breakthrough victory in the Arnold Palmer event was preceded by a clutch of top-10 finishes, but his form since has not been so impressive.
However, he believes time spent with his coach after the recent US Open – where he missed the cut – is now bearing fruit and he goes into this week's tournament in confident mood.
“I had a good week practising last week,” he said. “I feel like my game is coming round to what it was like at the start of the year.”
The Scottish Open has not been played on a links course since Ian Woosnam won at Carnoustie in 1996, and Laird, who has spent almost all his professional career in America after spending four years at Colorado State University, admitted that it would time for him to readjust to the more traditional style of game.
“It's challenging for me to come back,” he said. “It's not like I can come back and automatically know how to hit little bump-and-runs. It definitely takes some getting used to, but as the week goes on I'll probably get more comfortable.”
Laird to take European Tour membership
to boost Ryder Cup selection prospects
FROM THE SKYSPORTS.COM WEBSITEMartin Laird has announced he will take up membership on the European Tour next season in order to help his chances of qualifying for the 2012 Ryder Cup.
After moving to America in his teens to attend Colorado State University, Laird has spent his entire professional career based in the States.
However, the Scottish No 1 is now eager to take dual US PGA Tour and European Tour membership next season as he bids to feature in the Ryder Cup for the first time.
The 2012 match will be held Stateside at Medinah and the two-time winner of the US Tour winner is determined to make captain Jose Maria Olazabal's European team by right.
"The Ryder Cup is definitely high up on my agenda and I will be joining the European Tour next year, and play a few more European Tour events," he explained ahead of this week's Scottish Open.
"I want to make it clearly into the side, and not by just making the team from staying in America.
"I want to come back and play a few more events and hopefully be in a situation where I can play myself onto the European team.
"So I'll be joining as an affiliate member, and hopefully (playing) 13 European Tour counting events."
Meanwhile, the 28-year-old has declared himself happy to be back in Europe - not just for two huge events, but also for a break from wedding preparations.
The first Scot to make the world's top 25 since Colin Montgomerie, Laird is getting married in Colorado a fortnight after next week's Open Championship.
"Obviously that's the biggest weekend of the year!" he continued. "You only get married once - hopefully!
"We're really looking forward to that, but it's kind of nice to be over here and play a couple of really good tournaments and get away from all the wedding details."
First comes the Barclays Scottish Open, which after more than a decade at Loch Lomond switches back to a links course, the spectacular new Castle Stuart lay-out.
Given the change Laird admits he is surprised there are not more American players in the field to aid their Open preparations - Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar, Gary Woodland, Brandt Snedeker, Ryan Palmer and Brendan Steele being the ones who have crossed the Atlantic early.
"I got a lot of questions from guys the last few months," added Laird. "I told them I've not been here, but heard it's great.
"I don't know if it's because it's the first year maybe they didn't come.
"Links golf is so different than the typical American-style golf. If you haven't played on it for a while it does take you a little time to get used to it and get your feel back around the greens and stuff."
By ALASDAIR REID
In its 40-year history, the Barclays Scottish Open has thrown up just one home winner, but as the event makes its first appearance at the Castle Stuart course near Inverness this week Martin Laird believes his game is getting into the kind of shape that would allow him to match Colin Montgomerie's 1999 triumph at Loch Lomond.
Laird's rise to the top of his sport went mostly unnoticed by most of his compatriots before his sensational victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational event in Orlando earlier this year thrust him into the spotlight.
That win put the 28 year-old in the front rank of Scottish sportsmen, but it has also had the effect of cranking up the expectations that surround him.
“I think more people will know me after winning there,” Laird said. “But I love coming back and playing in front of a home crowd as I only get to do it once or twice a year.
"I can go to an American tournament and go unnoticed for the whole week if I'm not playing great.
“I obviously want to come back here and play well. I don't know if that's putting more pressure on me. I put plenty of pressure and expectations on myself.”
Laird's breakthrough victory in the Arnold Palmer event was preceded by a clutch of top-10 finishes, but his form since has not been so impressive.
However, he believes time spent with his coach after the recent US Open – where he missed the cut – is now bearing fruit and he goes into this week's tournament in confident mood.
“I had a good week practising last week,” he said. “I feel like my game is coming round to what it was like at the start of the year.”
The Scottish Open has not been played on a links course since Ian Woosnam won at Carnoustie in 1996, and Laird, who has spent almost all his professional career in America after spending four years at Colorado State University, admitted that it would time for him to readjust to the more traditional style of game.
“It's challenging for me to come back,” he said. “It's not like I can come back and automatically know how to hit little bump-and-runs. It definitely takes some getting used to, but as the week goes on I'll probably get more comfortable.”
Laird to take European Tour membership
to boost Ryder Cup selection prospects
FROM THE SKYSPORTS.COM WEBSITEMartin Laird has announced he will take up membership on the European Tour next season in order to help his chances of qualifying for the 2012 Ryder Cup.
After moving to America in his teens to attend Colorado State University, Laird has spent his entire professional career based in the States.
However, the Scottish No 1 is now eager to take dual US PGA Tour and European Tour membership next season as he bids to feature in the Ryder Cup for the first time.
The 2012 match will be held Stateside at Medinah and the two-time winner of the US Tour winner is determined to make captain Jose Maria Olazabal's European team by right.
"The Ryder Cup is definitely high up on my agenda and I will be joining the European Tour next year, and play a few more European Tour events," he explained ahead of this week's Scottish Open.
"I want to make it clearly into the side, and not by just making the team from staying in America.
"I want to come back and play a few more events and hopefully be in a situation where I can play myself onto the European team.
"So I'll be joining as an affiliate member, and hopefully (playing) 13 European Tour counting events."
Meanwhile, the 28-year-old has declared himself happy to be back in Europe - not just for two huge events, but also for a break from wedding preparations.
The first Scot to make the world's top 25 since Colin Montgomerie, Laird is getting married in Colorado a fortnight after next week's Open Championship.
"Obviously that's the biggest weekend of the year!" he continued. "You only get married once - hopefully!
"We're really looking forward to that, but it's kind of nice to be over here and play a couple of really good tournaments and get away from all the wedding details."
First comes the Barclays Scottish Open, which after more than a decade at Loch Lomond switches back to a links course, the spectacular new Castle Stuart lay-out.
Given the change Laird admits he is surprised there are not more American players in the field to aid their Open preparations - Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar, Gary Woodland, Brandt Snedeker, Ryan Palmer and Brendan Steele being the ones who have crossed the Atlantic early.
"I got a lot of questions from guys the last few months," added Laird. "I told them I've not been here, but heard it's great.
"I don't know if it's because it's the first year maybe they didn't come.
"Links golf is so different than the typical American-style golf. If you haven't played on it for a while it does take you a little time to get used to it and get your feel back around the greens and stuff."
Labels: EUROPEAN TOUR
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Tuesday, July 05, 2011
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