Martin Laird left frustrated despite fine showing at US Masters

Martin Laird succeeded where some of the biggest names in golf failed at last week’s US Masters – but still admitted to being frustrated with his tournament.
Martin Laird of Scotland plays his shot from the ninth tee during his second round of the Masters at Augusta . (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)Martin Laird of Scotland plays his shot from the ninth tee during his second round of the Masters at Augusta . (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Martin Laird of Scotland plays his shot from the ninth tee during his second round of the Masters at Augusta . (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

The 38-year-old former junior champion and captain at Milngavie’s Hilton Park Golf Club made the cut for the third time in his four appearances at Augusta.

Opening rounds of 74 and 71 gave the Denver-based player a 36-hole one over par total.

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That was enough to make the weekend cut, unlike stars such as former world number one Rory McIlroy and defending champion Dustin Johnson.

Two closing rounds of one-over par 73 then saw him finished, tied for 38th place, his best showing at the Masters since finishing tied 20th in debut back in 2011.

Bob MacIntyre deservedly took a host of plaudits for a marvellous debut display of his own over the famous course, tying for 12th and guaranteeing an invite to return next year.

But Laird admitted he felt frustrated at not being alongside him higher up the leaderboard.

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He produced some brilliant golf from tee to green, spending most of his week splitting fairways and finding lots of greens in regulation with sweetly-struck irons.

Again, unlike many, Laird managed to negotiate the treacherous 72-hole test without a double-bogey on his cards.

The highlight of his his closing round circuit was a birdie from seven feet at the legendary par three 12th but, by and large, his problem was the putts just didn’t drop.

“I’m very frustrated,” said Laird after his closing round. “I hit it great again today but just made no putts all week. Even today, as my caddie (fellow Scot Kevin McAlpine) was saying, I left four or five shots on the greens just on the back nine and four or five yesterday. Every round this week, it felt as though it was the worst score I could have shot and today that was definitely the case, so it’s a little frustrating right now.”

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“But I’ve had an unbelievable week. It’s a fantastic tournament and one you always want to play in. Looking back, I’ll be very pleased with how I played. Tee to green, I played well enough to be in mix. Just hopefully the next time I’m back, I can figure out the greens.”