Laird keen to show Royal resolve after his Muirfield nightmare
MARTIN LAIRD makes no bones about it. The scars which Muirfield inflicted upon him in 2013 were so deep that he could barely bring himself to pick up a golf club for weeks afterwards.
Heading into the third round, the Scot was just two shots off the lead and in a great position to challenge for the Claret Jug in front of his home galleries.
However, his best-laid plans for making a charge on moving day were soon scuppered when he carded a disastrous quintuplebogey nine on the third hole.
It served as the trigger for a ruinous round of 81 which, given the circumstances and what was at stake, left Laird in a traumatised state for a considerable period of time.
Four years later, he feels the demons of that afternoon have now been banished.
Should he find himself in contention over the weekend at Royal Birkdale, Laird is adamant that things will be different this time around.
The 34-year-old from Bearsden, who now resides in Arizona and plays the bulk of his golf on the PGA Tour, is well-placed to test his new-found resolve after a 68 in his opening round yesterday.
‘That was about as fast a course as you’ll ever play (at Muirfield),’ said Laird, after a round yesterday which included five birdies to put him alongside Richie Ramsay as the leading Scots.
‘I was in the mix on the Saturday. My game is a lot more rounded now and it’s better suited to these tournaments.
‘I’d feel better equipped in the same position. I would handle that better now. I’m a few years older — and a few years wiser.
‘The harder the course, the harder the tournament, the better I play.
‘In weeks when I play well, it’s when scoring is hard. I’m pretty good at working my way around the golf course.
‘My short game has improved a lot over recent years. That used to be the thing that really held me back in majors.
‘The fact that I have a better short game now is what gives me a chance when I come to these tournaments.
‘You can’t get ahead of yourself. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling confident — but you just have to focus on the game.’
A bogey on the sixth hole proved to be Ramsay’s only dropped shot of the day, with three birdies moving him up to two under with Laird.
Ramsay’s 65 in the final round of the Irish Open a fortnight ago has sparked some decent form and, playing alongside American Matt Kuchar yesterday, he admits that he was able to feed off the joint leader.
‘It was great to play with Matt and it was a real learning curve for me in terms of how to get yourself in contention in a major,’ said the 34-year-old Aberdonian.
‘He is just very consistent, it’s almost controlled aggression.
‘It’s great to watch the likes of Rory McIlroy hit a driver — an unbelievable sight to see.
‘But, in terms of how to get your ball round and make a score, Matt is one of the best and someone who amateurs could learn from.
‘He is such a nice guy to play with that you almost find yourself rooting for him. Not too much, mind you, in case he gets too far ahead!
‘More than anything, though, I just enjoyed it. Of course, it’s easier to enjoy it when you’re playing well. But I just wanted to go out there and have fun.
‘It’s the yellow leaderboards and all that goes with it that makes The Open what it is. It really is just brilliant. It was nice to see my name was spelled right (on the giant leaderboard on the 18th) as well. That was good.
‘My putt at the last hole was fantastic. Just rolled it up stiff and you can enjoy that 20-yard walk with the applause from the spectators.’
Of the other Scots, former Open champion Paul Lawrie got off to a decent if unspectacular start with a level-par round of 70.
David Drysdale found himself on two over par, with amateur Connor Syme just a shot further back and still well in contention for the silver medal.
‘It was an amazing experience,’ said the 22-year-old from Fife after his first taste of the tournament.
‘You feel nervous walking round, then you get to the first tee and say to yourself that this is what you practise for.’
Meanwhile, Russell Knox’s poor form continued with a 74, while 1985 Open champion Sandy Lyle signed for a 77, leaving him near the foot of the leaderboard.