Wentworth chances good for Scotsmen

MARTIN LAIRD and Rory Mcilroy beg to differ on whether they have played together before, but they and Ernie Els form the marquee group of this morning’s play at went worth, writes Steve Scott.

Laird is sure he has never played with the World No 1, nor Els.

“These are probably the two guys at the top of the rankings I haven’t played with but would like to,” said the Scot.

Mcilroy, on the other hand, thinks he has.

“I can’t recall where, but I know Martin hits it very high, hits it very long, and he putts well,” he said.

Laird arrives at Wentworth top Scot but with Paul Lawrie’s return to form there are now two in the world’s top 50 — there were none in the top 100 two years ago.

There are 13 in the field this week at a course which has proved good to the Scots in the past.

Colin Montgomerie’s three wins are well in the past now, but a seventh last year shows he can still get it around thewest.

The Scottish tour contingent offers more optimism than for more than a decade.

Stephen Gallacher should really have done more than one top five two years ago, given this is such a ball-strikers’ course, while Richie Ramsay’s consistency off the tree, as well as giving him a cheque in every start this year and a second place in Ballantine’s Championship in Korea, looks like a decent bet.

Scott Jamieson continues to thrive on tour while Fifers Peter Whiteford and George Murray have shown flashes of form this year so far, and a good showing in the BMW can shoot a player up the Race to Dubai rankings.

Marc Warren has also re-established himself after a year’s absence, while there are chances for PGA pros Greig Hutcheon and David Patrick having qualified from the regional route.