Golf: Last hole heartache for Martin Laird

Published on Monday 30 August 2010 11:24

A THREE-putt on the final hole of regulation play cost Scot Martin Laird the biggest win of his career last night.

• Martin Laid narrowly missed out on a second US PGA tour title. Picture: Getty

The Glasgow-born golfer had led throughout the final day's play at the Barclays tournament in New Jersey, USA.

But he took three putts from 20 feet on the 72nd hole and lost out in a play-off to American Ryder Cup player Matt Kuchar.

"Obviously not the finish I was looking for," said Laird, who won last year's PGA stop in Las Vegas. "But I'm very proud of the way I played today. I didn't feel like I had my best game."

Kuchar sealed his win with a spectacular birdie in the first play-off hole.

After hitting his drive into heavy rough on the left side, Kuchar punched a low approach shot that landed short of the green, hopped on and rolled to the back before turning left and following a slope down toward the cup.

Kuchar sank the three-foot putt for a winning birdie at the 470-yard par-four 18th and raised his arms in triumph.

"That shot came out beautifully," said Kuchar. "That was an exciting way to cap off this tournament."