Martin Laird takes positives from near-miss

MARTIN Laird's main goal at The Barclays last week was to play well enough to reach the second of the FedEx Cup play-offs. It was a major bonus, therefore, that he secured a spot in the other two events in that money-spinning series in one fell swoop.

In climbing to No 3 in the standings on the back of his second-place finish in New Jersey last Sunday, the 27-year-old Scot not only cruised into the Deutsche Bank Championship, which tees off today in Boston. He also clinched berths in next week's BMW Championship outside Chicago as well as the series-ending Tour Championship, which sees 30 players battle for a $10m prize pot at East Lake in Georgia.

Laird is looking forward to this week's event at TPC Boston and is confident he won't suffer a reaction after three-putting the 72nd hole and then losing out to Martin Kuchar in a play-off last weekend.

"I'm very proud of the way I played," he said. "I have taken a lot out of last week. The way I'm playing, I don't see why I can't be in contention in the next few weeks."

One player who won't taking any more part in the Play-offs is Kenny Perry, who finished in the top 15 in the previous two FedEx Cups. The American, lying 90th in the standings, has withdrawn from the Deutsche Bank Championship and, therefore, can't be among the top 70 who'll advance to the BMW Championship.

"Kenny made his decision after much thought and consideration. He is mentally and physically exhausted and simply needs a few months at home to rest and refocus," said the player's agent, Alan Bullington.

Tiger Woods climbed from 112th in the FedExCup points list to 65th last week and is confident he can qualify for the final two events.

The world No 1 needs to finish between 52nd and 57th this week to book his place in the next round of the series. "I'm looking forward to it," said Woods. "The next three events, the next three venues, I've won on."

Steve Stricker, who lies second in the standings, is defending his title this week in a top-class field and he's out in the same group in today's opening round with Kuchar (No 1) and Laird (No 3).