Martin Laird climbs eight places in rankings

MARTIN Laird is up to 41st, a climb of eight places, in golf's world rankings after tying for third in the Phoenix Open - the Scot's sixth top-five finish on the PGA Tour in 18 months.

The 28-year-old, who birdied his final two holes to just make the cut in Arizona before bolting through the field with closing rounds of 64 and 65, earned just under 220,000 for his latest strong showing on the US circuit to leap to 17th in the FedEx Cup standings.

Laird reckons his game is in better shape than it has been in the past at this stage of the year and is relishing his first appearance in the Accenture WGC Match Play Championship at the end of the month.

"To barely make the cut and then shoot 13-under on the weekend, I'm obviously very happy. Even though I missed the cut in San Diego, I feel like I'm playing good," he said.

"I've always kind of struggled to start the year. But, in two of my first three events, I've been in the final group, at Bob Hope, where I didn't feel like I played as bad as the score (a closing 74 saw him finish in a tie for 22nd) showed, and now, obviously, this was a good week."

Stephen Gallacher is still lying 74th in the world rankings, meaning he has to climb ten spots to join Laird in the elite field for the World Match Play in Arizona.