Nothing left to chance for Laird
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MARTIN Laird wonders if he would be even more successful if he had stuck to playing the game as a leftie like Phil Mickelson.
When he was a young boy growing up in his native Glasgow, he learned to play the game the wrong way round.
However, left-handed clubs were in scarce supply 20 years ago and his solution was for his father to cut down a set of his clubs and re-learn to play golf the orthodox way.
"Would I have enjoyed a more successful career if I hadn't changed, that's a good question," the 30-year-old admitted. "I really don't know and used to joke with my dad about how good I could have been if I hadn't switched.
"No one persuaded me, it was just a case of when I became old enough for a set of clubs it was hard to find left-handed ones for a kid so my dad cut down old ones of his and sent me on my way."
After winning the Scottish Schoolboys title and the Scottish Youths championship in 2003, an offer of a golf scholarship at Colorado State University was accepted.
"I was recruited by CSU along with some other universities and decided on CSU because of the coach, the town and the weather. I didn't want to go to a big city or somewhere too hot! I loved every minute there and would make the same decision again," Laird insisted.
"My parents were fantastic and supported my decision 100%, something that meant a lot and helped me be confident of my decision. I went there when I was 17 and my main goal was to become a tour pro although I definitely wanted to have the fall-back of a marketing degree.
"Our coach, Jamie Bermel, played a huge part in my development. He taught me a lot about course management and how to make best use of your time when practicing. He also gave me huge support when I turned pro and helped me get some sponsors so I could afford to enter tournaments and travel."
Laird won his second tournament in the paid ranks, the Denver Open. The victory was more important than the $12,000 cheque as it fortified his belief in his ability.
"I really believed I could make it when I won that event. I know it wasn't a big tournament but it couldn't have come at a better time and you always remember the first pro win! That alone gave me a lot of confidence that I then took to Tour School my first year and got through all three stages."
Laird recalled, "Even after playing very poorly all year on the Nationwide Tour in 2005 I still believed I was getting better. That year taught me a lot; mostly that I wasn't good enough and needed to put in a lot more work if I wanted to make it as a player."
Two years later, his career took off by capturing the Athens Region Foundation Classic then finishing third in the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship to earn his PGA Tour card.
"Competition is extremely tough on the Nationwide Tour. The depth of talent is such now that everyone is also a great player. Playing that tour was a great place to learn about a touring pro lifestyle. Flying from event to event each week and playing a lot of golf over a long season prepares you for life on the PGA Tour," Laird maintained.
Laird won the 2009 Justin Timberlake event in Las Vegas and the Arnold Palmer Invitational, followed by his recent win at the Valero Texas Open in April this year.
As a proud Scot, who has the Saltire displayed on his bag, belt and tees, winning his national title at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open on 11 – 14 July would be the pinnacle of a successful year.
