Martin Laird and Knox bid to secure Open spots

The Lone Star State has been a happy hunting ground already for Laird this year after his victory in the Valero Texas Open last month. That secured his spot in the Masters and now he’s bidding to qualify for the season’s third major when it takes place at Muirfield in July.

Among those also taking part in today’s 36-hole International Final Qualifier are Inverness exile Russell Knox and former US Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III. Meanwhile, former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen withdrew from the Byron Nelson Championship before the final round in Texas yesterday because of a neck issue. He was tied for 32nd place.

South Korea’s Bae Sang-moon pulled four shots clear in the final round as he sought his first PGA Tour win. The 27-year-old started the day one shot off Keegan Bradley’s lead but a blistering front nine took him clear at 16-under-par.