Martin Laird missed the annual homecoming to the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open last year but he’s back with a vengeance this next fortnight.
The Glasgow-born, US-based player admitted he was in a “backs to the wall situation” regarding his playing rights on the PGA Tour last year at this time and couldn’t afford to come back to play in his home Open.
From a player who was top 50 in the world, Laird fell out of the top 200 but is on the upward path again with four top ten finishes this season, including a strong performance in the Quicken Loans National event two weeks ago that booked his place at Royal Birkdale for the Open Championship.
“I couldn’t come to the Scottish last year, but it was about this time last year that I started turning things around,” he recalled. “It’s so nice to be here in a totally different situation than 12 months ago.
“I can come here at Dundonald and enjoy this and the bonus of the Open. We’re here for the whole month, it was a great chance to get away with the family and enjoy it.”
Laird admitted the distractions of a young family had affected his golf and that he took his status on the PGA Tour for granted.
“Last year wasn’t a nice situation,” he said. “I took the whole of April off when my daughter was born and I really struggled after that.
“I hadn’t really had to fight to keep my card that since my first year on tour. I was thinking ‘what will I do if I lose my card and don’t get all the events?’
“But I got a nice run going eventually and was okay. I came out this year and have had four top 10s and have safeguarded the card already.”
A slight blip in form earlier this year has now been righted, and dealing with the demands of parenthood – his two children are just three and a year old – and golf has become a little easier.
“I’d be lying if I said I practice as much now as I used to but I make better use of my practice,” he said. “We’re in a good routine now. The family travel most weeks and we’ve got it down to a tee now.
“Nothing much has changed with me, I have the same coach. My game is more rounded that it ever has been, even better than five or six years ago when I was having my best results. I’m excited for the next spell coming up.
“I’d like to get back to being Scottish No 1 as it means I’d be higher up the world rankings but it’s not really about that, I’ve always said I wish there was a bunch of us up there.
“I know Russell (Knox) well, he’s a great guy. He’s not playing bad at all it’s just not happening, but he’ll be fine. He’s proven what a good player he is.
“A bad spell makes you appreciate when you are playing well. You forget how hard it is to be in the top 50. When you are away from that, like I have been, it makes you hungry to get back there.”
