Martin Laird off to another strong start on PGA Tour

Martin Laird is off to another strong start on the PGA Tour and was joined on this occasion in posting a sub-par score by fellow Scot Russell Knox in the opening round of The American Express in California.

Martin Laird, right, reacts after saving a par as Nick Taylor of Canada looks on during the first round of The American Express tournament on the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West in La Quinta, California. Picture: Harry How/Getty Images.

Laird, who recorded his fourth title triumph on the US circuit in the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas in October, sits joint-third after carding a six-under-par 66 at PGA West in La Quinta.

The Scot’s excellent effort on the Nicklaus Tournament Course left him just two shots off the lead as American Brandon Hagy set the pace in the $6.7 million event.

Laird, who tied for 17th in the year-opening Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii a fortnight ago, opened with a birdie after starting at the tenth.

He added three more birdies at the 11th, 13th and 16th in an eye-catching opening burst before dropping his only shot of the day at the 18th but then picked up shots at the first, fourth and eighth coming home.

Opening his event on the same course, Knox made four birdies in five holes on his back nine to card a three-under 69 and sits joint-39th.

The Scottish pair now move over to the Stadium Course for the second round along with world No 12 Brooks Koepka (72) and Phil Mickelson (74).

Elsewhere, American Danielle Kang leads after the opening round of the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, the LPGA Tour’s first event in 2021.

Kang followed 2020’s first-round 63 in the same event with a bogey-free 64 this year, earning a one-stroke lead over defending champion Lopez, as well as sisters Jessica and Nelly Korda.

A message from the Editor:Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers. If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.