Laird makes it a dream weekend for Scottish golf

Prize guy: Martin Laird with his trophy
13 April 2012

Martin Laird's victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational capped a rare day of joy for Scottish golf, coming just hours after Paul Lawrie broke his nine-year winless run on the European Tour.

Laird finished on eight under to beat American Steve Marino by a stroke and claim his first PGA Tour title since October 2009. That triumph at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open ended a drought for Scotsmen in the States going back to Sandy Lyle's victory at the US Masters in 1988.

"It is no secret that Scottish golf has been down for a few years after Monty's dominance," said Laird, who became the first European winner in 33-year history of the Bay Hill event.

"Now we have got a lot of good players. We just need to get up there and get experience.

"Hopefully in the next few years we will players come through because there is no doubt that there is talent in the country."

Laird started the day with a two‑stroke lead and before he took to the range he heard the news from Spain, where 1999 Open champion Lawrie clinched the Andalucian Open.

"I found that out in the morning and it was fantastic," said the 28-year-old. "Sandy Lyle won recently on the European Senior Tour, so that makes it three in two weeks for us."

Laird today rose 19 places to 21st in the rankings while Lawrie rocketed from 272nd to 150th in the world.

Lawrie, 42, held his nerve in Malaga as he finished on 12 under just one ahead of Swede Johan Edfors. He started the day with a one-shot lead but was three behind at the turn before birdies at 10, 11, 12 and 14 got him back on track.

Lawrie's last title came at the Wales Open at Celtic Manor and he said: "It has been a long time - 2002 seems a helluva time ago. I've had a few second places in there but all of a sudden we're there again.

"It was going pear-shaped a little bit but you've just got to keep going - that's all you can do."

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