Late bogeys rob Laird of victory in Second Stage event

SCOT MARTIN QUALIFIES FOR
FINAL US QUALIFYING SCHOOL

Former Scottish youths champion Martin Laird finished joint second in the US PGA Tour Qualifying Second Stage tournament over four rounds at Southern Dunes Golf Club, Maricopa, Arizona.
Martin had rounds of 70, 66, 67 and 69 for a 16-under-par total of 272, one behind the competition winner, American Garth Mulroy who scored 68, 67, 71 and 65 for 271.
Laird, who is familiar with American conditions after spending four years on a golf scholarship at Colorado State University, would have won the tournament but for a couple of late bogeys at the 15th and 18th.
Earlier he had birdied the first, second, fifth, seventh, 11th, 12th and 13th with bogeys at the third and fourth failing to knock him off balance.
Only the top 20 and ties from each of the Stage 2 events all over the States go forward to the six-round Final Q School at La Quinta, California, from November 29 to December 4.
Laird finished joint 11th in clearing the First Stage hurdle which eliminated another ex-Scottish youths champion, Joel Hendry from Elgin. Hendry campaigned unsuccessfully on the Nationwide Tour this year.
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