Here’s how the Glaswegian has made his mark on the strongest tour in world golf.
1. Hitting jackpot in Las Vegas
After graduating from Colorado State University with a marketing degree, the Glaswegian landed his breakthrough win on the circuit in his second season holding a card with victory in the 2009 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. He posted rounds of 63-67-67-68 for a 19-under-par 265 total at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas before beating American duo Chad Campbell and George McNeill in a play-off. The win was worth $756,000 and litfed Laird to 108th in the world rankings. Photo: Sam Greenwood
2. Historic win at Palmer's place
On the same day Paul Lawrie won on the European Tour in Spain, Laird became the first European to claim victory in the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2011 in the event bearing the great man's name and played at his beloved Bay Hill in Florida. After opening rounds of 70-65-70, he found himself fighting his game in the final round but held his nerve to make a great two-putt from about 80 feet at the last for a closing 75 and a one-stroke victory over American Steve Marino. That success, which was worth $1.08 million catapulted him to 21st in the global standings. Photo: Sam Greenwood
3. Texas triumph over Rory
Laird claimed his third success on the US circuit in style in the 2013 Valero Texas Open, closing with a course record-equalling 63 for a 14-under-par total at TPC San Antonio to win by two shots from Rory McIlroy. The Scot had been struggling with his game in the early part of 2013 and went into this event a lowly 157th on the FedEx Cup rankings. But he turned things around with his victory, which lifted him to 56th in the world rankings and also secured him a third start in The Masters the following week. He also banked $1.116 million. Photo: Michael Cohen
4. Action replay in Las Vegas
Playing on a sponsor's exemption in the 2020 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in a field that included golf's man of the moment Bryson DeChambeau, Laird opened with rounds of 65-63-65 to share the lead heading into the final round. He bogeyed the last for a closing 68 to finish on 23-under but then rolled in a 22-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole to win a play-off against Matt Wolff and Austin Cook. The return to winning ways, which was worth $1.26 million and took his career earnings close to $19.5 million, lifted him from 351st to 88th in the world. Photo: Matthew Stockman