Martin Laird wins playoff in Las Vegas

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS Comments 0
Published: October 18, 2009

LAS VEGAS — Scotland's Martin Laird won the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title, beating George McNeill with a birdie on the third hole of a playoff.

Martin Laird lines up a putt on a playoff hole during the final round of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open golf tournament at TPC Summerlin Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

Multimedia

Photoview all photos

Laird closed with a 3-under 68 to match McNeill (67) and former UNLV player Chad Campbell (69) at 19-under 265. Campbell was eliminated on the second extra hole.

The 26-year-old Laird, a former Colorado State player, earned $756,000 and a two-your tour exemption for the breakthrough victory at TPC Summerlin in his 53rd tour star. He jumped from 134th to 62nd on the money list with $1,271,254.

Three-time Las Vegas winner Jim Furyk (62) and Jeff Klauk (68) tied for fourth at 18 under, and former UNLV player Charley Hoffman (68) followed at 17 under.

Laird holed an 11-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th for the victory after McNeill hit his approach near the greenside water hazard and had an 18-foot par putt lip out.

Campbell dropped out with a bogey on the par-3 17th.

Laird took the lead from Campbell and Furyk at 19 under with a birdie on the par-5 ninth. Laird parred the next six holes before birdieing the par-5 16th to reach 20 under, then dropped back with a bogey on 17.

McNeill birdied the 18th to join Laird and Campbell at 19 under, and Campbell and Laird then closed with pars to set up the playoff.

The three players opened the playoff with pars on No. 18, and Laird and McNeill advanced with pars on No. 17, while Campbell dropped out with his bogey.