Martin Laird
Martin Laird (born 29 December 1982) is a Scottish professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour, where he has won four tournaments.[1][2] Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Laird moved to the United States at age 17 to attend Colorado State University, from which he graduated with a marketing degree in 2004.[3][4] He turned professional later that year and earned full PGA Tour membership for the 2008 season after strong performances on the Nationwide Tour (now Korn Ferry Tour), including a victory at the 2007 Athens Regional Foundation Classic.[2][5] Laird's PGA Tour victories include the 2009 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, the 2011 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (his second PGA Tour win and the first by a European), the 2013 Valero Texas Open, and the 2020 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.[2][6] Throughout his career, he has amassed 45 top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour and over $22.8 million in official earnings, while representing Scotland in the World Cup of Golf in 2011, 2013, and 2018.[2] As of November 2025, the 42-year-old Laird, who resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, continues to compete on the PGA Tour (on conditional status) and DP World Tour, ranked 300th in the Official World Golf Ranking and 195th in the FedExCup standings, with no wins or top-10 finishes in the season to date.[2][7][8][9]Early life
Birth and family background
Martin Laird was born on December 29, 1982, in Glasgow, Scotland.[10][6] He spent his childhood in the Glasgow area, beginning in Kirkintilloch and later moving to the suburb of Bearsden, where his family resided during his formative years.[11] Laird's parents instilled a strong emphasis on sports from an early age, with his father, Charles, serving as a key influence and one of his personal heroes.[10][11] The family later relocated to Upper Largo in Fife, where Charles became a member of Lundin Links Golf Club.[11] This supportive family environment in Glasgow encouraged Laird's active participation in various sports during childhood, shaping his competitive drive and laying the groundwork for his athletic pursuits.[11]Introduction to golf
Martin Laird first encountered golf in his hometown of Glasgow, Scotland, where he began playing at a young age on local courses. Initially taking up the sport at Kirkintilloch Golf Club, he transitioned to Hilton Park Golf Club around age 9, which became a pivotal hub for his early development. There, supported by his family—particularly his father, who influenced key decisions in his training—Laird honed his skills amid the club's junior programs.[12][6] Laird learned the game left-handed, starting with a cut-down four-wood that suited his natural tendencies, before switching to right-handed play at his father's encouragement when acquiring his first full set of clubs. This early adaptability marked his junior phase, during which he achieved notable successes in Scottish events. As a standout at Hilton Park, he served as Junior Captain and claimed the club's junior championship twice, demonstrating precocious talent and leadership. Additionally, he earned caps for Scotland at various youth levels, competing in national junior competitions that built his competitive foundation.[12][13][14] By age 17, Laird's promise led to a significant step for further growth: relocating to the United States in 2000 to pursue advanced golf opportunities. This move, facilitated through a scholarship program, allowed him to immerse in a more intensive training environment, setting the stage for his subsequent amateur pursuits while preserving his roots in Scottish junior golf.[12][6]Amateur and college career
College career
Martin Laird attended Colorado State University from 2000 to 2004, where he majored in marketing.[15] During his time there, he balanced academics and athletics, earning four-time Academic All-Mountain West Conference honors.[16] In golf, Laird distinguished himself as a standout performer for the Rams, securing a school-record six individual tournament victories over his four seasons. He earned two All-American honors in 2003 and 2004, the first for a CSU men's golfer. He received three-time All-Mountain West Conference honors from 2002 to 2004 and was named the conference's individual champion in 2002.[16][17] His contributions were instrumental in leading the team to NCAA regional appearances in each of his years.[16] As a senior in 2004, Laird was awarded the Nye Trophy, recognizing him as Colorado State University's top male senior athlete and marking the first time a golfer received this distinction.[16] Upon graduating that year, he opted to turn professional, launching his career on the developmental tours.[2]Amateur wins
Laird's amateur successes began in Scotland before his move to the United States in 2000, where he contributed to the Scottish team's victory in the European Boys' Team Championship that year, a stroke-play event held in the Netherlands that qualified participants for international exposure.[18] He also claimed the Scottish Youths Championship, a key national title for under-18 players that highlighted his early promise and helped secure spots on representative teams.[19] Upon arriving at Colorado State University, Laird excelled in college golf, securing six individual tournament victories between 2001 and 2004, primarily in 54-hole stroke-play formats that emphasized consistency and course management. These wins, often by multi-stroke margins, established him as one of the top collegiate players and earned All-Mountain West Conference honors multiple times, paving the way for his professional transition. The following table summarizes his college individual titles:| Date | Tournament | Location | Score (to par) | Margin of Victory | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 29–May 1, 2002 | Mountain West Conference Championship | Hobbs, New Mexico (New Mexico Junior College Golf Course) | 212 (-4) | 2 strokes | Conference title; stroke-play format over 54 holes; qualified CSU for NCAA regionals. |
| March 15–16, 2003 | El Diablo Intercollegiate | Tucson, Arizona (Arizona National Golf Club) | 209 (-7) | 3 strokes | Individual medalist; helped team to top-5 finish. |
| April 25–26, 2003 | PING BYU Cougar Classic | Provo, Utah (Kara Farm course) | 209 (-7) | 2 strokes | Solo victory in 54-hole event; significant for building momentum in spring season. |
| April 2–3, 2004 | Border Olympics | Laredo, Texas (Laredo Country Club) | 207 (-9) | 1 stroke | Dominant performance; aided NCAA qualification push. |
Professional career
Turning professional and early years
Laird turned professional in 2004 shortly after graduating from Colorado State University with a degree in marketing.[2] That year, he competed in the final stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School at PGA West, where his performance earned him a spot on the Nationwide Tour for the following season rather than full PGA Tour status.[22] From 2005 to 2006, Laird focused on the Nationwide Tour with conditional status, while also making appearances on the European Challenge Tour to gain competitive experience.[3] These early professional years presented significant challenges, including frequent missed cuts and the demands of adapting to the intense competition and travel of the U.S. professional circuit, as he worked to build consistency away from the amateur ranks.[23] Laird's persistence paid off in 2007 on the Nationwide Tour, where he achieved his first professional victory at the Athens Regional Foundation Classic. He birdied the 72nd hole to finish at 16-under-par 272, edging out Justin Bolli and Jeremy Anderson by one stroke for the $90,000 winner's check. This triumph, combined with strong overall play, propelled him to 13th on the Nationwide Tour money list, securing a full PGA Tour card for 2008.[6][24]Breakthrough wins (2009–2013)
Laird's rookie season on the PGA Tour in 2008 showed promise despite early struggles, as he made 20 of 29 cuts and advanced to the FedEx Cup playoffs, finishing tied for 12th at the BMW Championship before ending 31st in the overall FedEx Cup standings, which secured his playing privileges for the following year.[25][26] The breakthrough came in 2009 when Laird won his first PGA Tour title at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. He defeated George McNeill with a par on the third playoff hole, after Chad Campbell was eliminated on the second extra hole in the three-man sudden-death playoff.[27][28] This victory, worth $756,000, more than doubled his season earnings to $1.27 million and elevated him to 62nd on the money list, while boosting his Official World Golf Ranking into the top 100.[29] In 2011, Laird added his second PGA Tour win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, closing with a 3-over 75 to finish at 8-under par, one stroke ahead of Steve Marino in the highest-scoring final round for a winner in the event's history.[30][31] The triumph vaulted him to a career-high 21st in the OWGR and earned him a spot in his first Masters Tournament, where he tied for 20th at 1-under par 285.[32][33] Laird's third victory came in 2013 at the Valero Texas Open, where he fired a bogey-free, 9-under 63 in the final round to tie the course record at TPC San Antonio and win by two strokes over Rory McIlroy at 14-under par 274.[34][35] This success, his first in nearly two years, improved his OWGR to 56th and qualified him for the Masters.[36] Over the 2009–2013 period, Laird's three wins and consistent top-10 finishes in non-major events, such as runner-up at the 2010 Transitions Championship, solidified his status as a reliable PGA Tour contender, peaking at No. 21 in the OWGR.[37]Established career (2014–2019)
During the 2014–2019 period, Martin Laird established himself as a consistent performer on the PGA Tour without securing a victory, relying on steady play to maintain his full status. He recorded multiple top-10 finishes across these years, including a T4 at the 2016 Memorial Tournament, carding rounds of 71-69-70-72 to end four shots back of champion William McGirt. These near-misses highlighted his ability to contend in elite fields, though he often fell short in closing out tournaments. In major championships during this span, Laird demonstrated reliability by making the cut in most appearances but rarely mounting a serious challenge for the title. His strongest showing came earlier with a T21 at the 2013 U.S. Open, but from 2014 to 2019, performances included a T32 at the 2017 U.S. Open and consistent mid-pack finishes like T43 at the 2014 Masters and T55 at the 2016 PGA Championship, reflecting solid but non-contending play. He made 12 of 16 major cuts overall in the period, underscoring his endurance in high-pressure events without breaking into the top 20. Laird faced challenges, including a back injury in late 2016 that forced him to withdraw from an event and impacted his early 2017 schedule, leading to a slow start with only one top-20 in his first five starts.[38] His Official World Golf Ranking dipped outside the top 100 in 2015 (244th) and again in 2018 (210th), reflecting form fluctuations amid the injury recovery and increased competition.[39] Despite these setbacks, Laird preserved full PGA Tour membership through top-125 money list finishes in five of the six seasons, culminating in 114th place in 2019 with earnings of $1,037,579.[2]2020 victory and recent years (2020–present)
In 2020, Martin Laird secured his fourth PGA Tour victory at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, defeating Austin Cook and Matthew Wolff in a three-way playoff after all three finished at 23-under par 261.[40] This marked his second win at the event and his first since the 2013 Valero Texas Open, coming during a COVID-19-shortened season that limited the Tour to 14 events.[41] The triumph boosted Laird to 75th in the 2020-21 FedEx Cup standings, providing a momentary resurgence after years of inconsistency.[42] From 2021 to 2022, Laird did not record any wins, though he achieved his best major finish in recent years with a T23 at the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.[13] His FedEx Cup performance dipped, finishing 75th in 2020-21 but dropping to 101st in 2021-22, placing him outside the top 100 and complicating his status retention.[43] In 2023 and 2024, Laird continued to grapple with inconsistent form, often missing cuts but securing occasional strong showings, such as a T15 at the World Wide Technology Championship in 2023.[44] His FedEx Cup rankings hovered in the 115-145 range during these seasons, reflecting a struggle to maintain competitive momentum amid broader challenges on the Tour.[45] As of November 2025, the 42-year-old Laird has participated in approximately 17 PGA Tour events without a victory, though he showed promise on the Korn Ferry Tour by leading after 36 holes and finishing T2 at the UNC Health Championship presented by STITCH.[46] Currently ranked 196th in the FedEx Cup standings, he remains active in the fall series, aiming to regain top form and secure his playing status for 2026.[8]Playing style
Overview of game
Martin Laird is recognized as an accurate ball-striker on the PGA Tour, particularly excelling in iron play from approach shots. His style emphasizes precision over power, with an average driving distance of approximately 290 yards, allowing him to prioritize fairway accuracy and controlled approaches. This methodical approach has proven effective in desert-style layouts, where he has secured multiple victories, including two at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas.[47][48][49] Among his key strengths, Laird demonstrates composure in putting under pressure, as highlighted by his 20-foot birdie putt to clinch the 2020 Shriners playoff. His short game exhibits notable creativity, enabling recovery from challenging lies, such as holing an improbable bunker shot from a buried position during the same event. Additionally, his course management stands out, contributing to consistent scoring through strategic decision-making rather than aggressive risk-taking. These attributes have supported his sustained competitiveness, with representative examples like top finishes at precision-demanding courses such as TPC Summerlin.[50][51][52] Laird's weaknesses include occasional inaccuracy off the tee, reflected in negative strokes gained off-the-tee metrics in recent seasons, which can lead to challenging recoveries. He has also experienced putting slumps, particularly in major championships, where his putter has held him back despite strong ball-striking elsewhere. In terms of career statistics, Laird ranked 30th in strokes gained tee-to-green prior to 2020, underscoring his foundational strength in approach play with positive contributions around +0.5 strokes gained in that category during peak years, though putting inconsistencies limited overall gains.[53][25][25]Handedness switch and technique
Laird, naturally left-handed, began learning golf with his left hand at a young age, using a cut-down four-wood provided by his family.[12] Around age nine, he switched to playing right-handed after his father, unable to locate suitable left-handed clubs, purchased a full set of right-handed equipment to facilitate his continued development and access to proper coaching resources.[12][54] This transition profoundly shaped his technique, instilling a dominant left-hand influence within a right-handed setup that created an ambidextrous-like feel for swing mechanics and contributed to his characteristically smooth tempo.[55][10] Early challenges from the switch, such as a tendency for a closed takeaway due to left-hand dominance and difficulty retaining wrist angle to avoid casting, were addressed through targeted drills emphasizing body rotation and a shortened backswing, allowing seamless integration into his professional right-handed approach.[55] Ultimately, the handedness change enhanced his adaptability across diverse course conditions—particularly transitioning from low-draw shots suited to Scottish links to a high-fade trajectory ideal for U.S. layouts—without imposing any significant long-term handicaps on his performance.[54]Personal life
Marriage and family
Laird married Meagan Franks, the daughter of golf professional Hank Franks, on July 31, 2011.[6][56] The couple has two children: a son, Jack Andrew, born on February 25, 2014, and a daughter, Hannah, born in 2016.[57][58][59] Meagan Laird is actively involved with the PGA Tour Wives Association, and the family has provided essential support throughout his career, often accompanying him on tour.[6][58]Residence and interests
After completing his degree at Colorado State University in 2004, Martin Laird initially resided in the Denver area of Colorado, where he began his professional golf career. He later relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona, establishing his base there for much of his early professional years to support his training and tournament schedule.[2] In May 2020, Laird moved back to the Denver area, citing a desire to be closer to his wife's family in Colorado following knee surgery. He has since maintained his residence in the Denver region, allowing easier access to local golf facilities like Cherry Hills Country Club.[60] Laird's personal interests include watching football, listening to music, and an enthusiasm for cars. His connection to Scottish heritage is evident through participation in events embracing Scottish traditions, such as wearing tartan trews during a charity Pro-Am at the 2014 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open to support local causes.[6][61] In philanthropy, Laird serves as an ambassador for ClubGolf, Scotland's national program aimed at introducing the sport to every child by age nine, a role he took on in 2012 alongside figures like Colin Montgomerie to promote junior golf development. He has also supported Shriners Hospitals for Children through personal fundraising efforts, including the PGA Tour's Fundraise FORE Love campaign launched in 2017, where he directed donations to the Spokane facility, and by winning the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in 2009 and 2020, events that raise significant funds for pediatric care. Additionally, Laird has contributed to PGA Tour charitable initiatives, such as donating to a 2017 charity golf day at his former club, Hilton Park Golf Club, in memory of a longtime greenkeeper.[6][62][63][64]Professional wins
PGA Tour wins
Laird secured his first PGA Tour victory at the 2009 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, defeating Chad Campbell and George McNeill in a three-hole playoff after all three finished regulation at 19-under par 265. The win, held at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, earned him $756,000 and propelled him from 134th to 62nd on the money list.[65] In 2011, Laird claimed the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard at Bay Hill Club & Lodge, holding off Steve Marino by one stroke with a total score of 8-under par 280, despite a final-round 3-over 75 that marked the highest closing score for a winner in the event's 33-year history at the time. This breakthrough as the first European champion in the tournament's history netted him $1,080,000 and elevated him to third on the season's money list.[66] Laird's third PGA Tour title came at the 2013 Valero Texas Open, where he fired a final-round 9-under 63 to tie the course record at TPC San Antonio and finish two strokes ahead of Rory McIlroy at 14-under par 274.[67] The victory, his first in over two years, earned $1,116,000 from a $6.2 million purse and secured a spot in that year's Masters Tournament.[68] Breaking a seven-year drought, Laird won the 2020 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in a three-way playoff against Austin Cook and Matthew Wolff, sinking a 22-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th hole after all tied at 23-under par 261 in regulation.[69] Playing on a sponsor exemption following knee surgery, he pocketed $1,260,000 and returned to Winner's Circle at the same venue where he claimed his debut title.[70] Across these four victories, Laird has earned approximately $4.2 million in prize money.[2]Korn Ferry Tour wins
Laird secured his sole Korn Ferry Tour victory at the 2007 Athens Regional Foundation Classic, held April 19–22 at Jennings Mill Country Club in Athens, Georgia.[71] Playing in just his third season as a professional after turning pro in 2004, he posted rounds of 66-67-70-69 to finish at 16-under-par 272, achieving a wire-to-wire win by birdieing the 18th hole in the final round for a one-stroke margin over Justin Bolli and Jeremy Anderson.[72] The $90,000 first-place prize marked a pivotal moment in his career, highlighting his emerging consistency with five top-10 finishes across 27 starts that season.[71] This triumph propelled Laird to 13th on the Korn Ferry Tour money list with $252,679 in earnings, securing full exempt status on the PGA Tour for 2008 and representing his breakthrough as a professional golfer.[71]Other professional wins
In the early stages of his professional career, Martin Laird secured three victories on minor tours that contributed to building momentum for his ascent to more prominent circuits. During the 2006 Gateway Tour season, he won two stroke-play events at the Desert Springs courses in Arizona: the A8 tournament at Litchfield Park Golf Club, where he finished at 10-under par for a one-stroke victory, and the B3 event, claiming the title by three strokes. Later that year, Laird captured the unofficial San Juan Open on Puerto Rico's local tour, posting a tournament-record 16-under-par total of 268 to win by four strokes.[73][74]Tournament results
Results in major championships
Martin Laird has competed in all four major championships multiple times throughout his professional career, achieving no wins or top-10 finishes. His overall cuts made rate in majors stands at approximately 50%, reflecting solid but not elite contention in these events.| Major Championship | Best Finish (Year) |
|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | T20 (2011)[75] |
| U.S. Open | T21 (2013)[76] |
| The Open Championship | T44 (2013)[77] |
| PGA Championship | T23 (2021)[13] |
Results in The Players Championship
Martin Laird has competed in The Players Championship approximately 15 times since his debut in 2008, establishing himself as a consistent contender at TPC Sawgrass. His standout performance occurred in 2012, when he co-led after the opening round with a 7-under-par 65 and closed with a 5-under 67 to finish tied for second at 11-under par (277), two strokes behind winner Matt Kuchar.[80][81] Laird followed up with another strong showing in 2013, firing a final-round 67 to surge into a tie for fifth at 10-under par (278), three strokes back of champion Tiger Woods.[82] He has notched multiple top-25 finishes throughout his appearances, reflecting his proficiency on the demanding, accuracy-focused layout of the Players Stadium Course, which aligns well with his precise ball-striking and short-game strengths.[2] More recently, Laird endured a challenging stretch from 2022 to 2023, missing the cut in several editions during a form drought, though he rebounded to make the weekend in 2024 and finish tied for 54th at 2-under par (286). He did not participate in the 2025 Players Championship.[2]| Year | Position | Total Score | To Par |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | T2 | 277 | -11 |
| 2013 | T5 | 278 | -10 |
| 2014 | CUT | - | +4 (36 holes) |
| 2024 | T54 | 286 | -2 |
Results in World Golf Championships
Martin Laird made approximately 10 appearances in World Golf Championships events between 2009 and 2017, a period marking the height of his competitive form on the PGA Tour. These invitational tournaments, limited to top-ranked players and major winners, provided Laird opportunities to compete against the world's elite field. His participation was driven by strong Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) positions, typically requiring a ranking within the top 50 or recent victories for qualification.[83] Laird's strongest showing occurred at the 2011 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, where he finished tied for fifth after rounds of 66, 67, 70, and 72, ending at 11-under par and earning $264,000. This performance highlighted his accuracy off the tee and putting prowess on the challenging Firestone Country Club course. Another notable result was his tied for 10th at the 2013 WGC-Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral, where he carded consistent scores to stay competitive in a field led by Tiger Woods.[84] Post-2017, Laird received fewer WGC invitations as his OWGR declined into the 100s, reflecting a career phase focused more on maintaining PGA Tour status amid injuries and form fluctuations. Despite this, his earlier WGC outings contributed to career earnings and ranking stability.[7]| Event | Year | Position |
|---|---|---|
| WGC-HSBC Champions | 2009 | T54 |
| WGC-Bridgestone Invitational | 2011 | T5 |
| WGC-Cadillac Championship | 2013 | T10 |
| WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play | 2017 | T33 |
Career statistics
Annual earnings and rankings
Martin Laird's PGA Tour career earnings peaked at $2.7 million in 2011, a year highlighted by his victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which contributed significantly to his financial success. His total career earnings reached approximately $22.8 million as of November 2025, reflecting consistent performance over nearly two decades on the tour. In the partial 2025 season, he had earned $232,138 through November 16.[85][23][86] Laird achieved his career-best Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) of No. 21 in 2011, following strong showings including a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. His highest FedEx Cup standing was 22nd in 2013, underscoring a period of elevated consistency. By 2025, his FedEx Cup rank had declined to 196th, mirroring broader trends of reduced competitiveness in recent years.[39][8] Earnings and rankings have typically surged in seasons with PGA Tour wins (2009, 2011, 2013, and 2020), where prize money from victories and top finishes provided substantial boosts. Post-2020, however, both metrics showed a steady decline, with annual earnings dropping below $1 million and rankings falling outside the top 100, influenced by fewer top-10 results and increased competition.[2]| Year | PGA Tour Earnings | FedEx Cup Rank | OWGR Peak/End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | $2,701,132 | - | 21 |
| 2013 | $1,831,838 | 22 | - |
| 2020 | $1,494,340 | 75 | - |
| 2025 (partial) | $232,138 | 196 | 309 |