Laird hopes to hit jackpot in Las Vegas

SCOTLAND’S MARTIN Laird will hope to hit the jackpot in Las Vegas again this week at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals…

SCOTLAND’S MARTIN Laird will hope to hit the jackpot in Las Vegas again this week at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

Laird claimed his first US Tour title in the tournament in 2009, and was only denied a successful defence last year when Jonathan Byrd fired a hole-in-one on the fourth hole of a three-man play-off.

The 28-year-old from Glasgow is a combined 40 under par for his last two appearances in Vegas and goes into the event in good form after finishing 12th in the BMW Championship earlier this month.

That meant Laird finished 31st in the FedEx Cup standings, agonisingly missing out on a top-30 place which would have secured him a place at last week’s Tour Championship at East Lake.

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Laird was faced with a tough choice of where to play this week, with his native Scotland staging the Dunhill Links Championship, where he finished fifth last year thanks to a closing round of 67 at St Andrews.

“The reason I’m not coming back for the Dunhill this year, unfortunately, is that it falls opposite the tournament in Las Vegas,” Laird said. “But I hope to be back next year to play.”

With the FedEx Cup over for the year, attention turns to the “Fall Series” and the battle to retain playing rights for next season by finishing in the top 125 on the money list.

The top 125 after the four remaining events earn their cards for 2012 and Laird offers hope to those struggling at the wrong end of the list.

In 2009, Laird was 134th in the standings before winning in Vegas to earn a two-year exemption and move up to 62nd, and there are several other examples of players striking it lucky in the gambling capital of the United States.

In 2008 Marc Turnesa came to Las Vegas 138th on the money list and a 500 to 1 outsider but went on to win the title, while Troy Matteson was 143rd in 2006 before his win.

World number 11 Nick Watney is the favourite to claim his fifth Tour title and third of 2011, having finished joint sixth at TPC Summerlin last year.

THE LOWDOWN

Course: TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Prize money: €3.2 million (€570,227 to the winner).

Length: 7,223 yards. Par: 71. Field: 120.

The layout:Three players shot 21 under par last year as the course is extremely easy for professionals. The three par-fives (ninth, 13th and 16th) are pretty straightforward and the 341-yard par-four 15th is drivable. The eighth, a 239-yard par-three, is by far the toughest hole.

Last year:In near darkness, Jonathan Byrd had a spectacular hole-in-one to beat Martin Laird and Cameron Percy in a play-off.

Type of player suited to challenge: The key to doing well this weekend is to be in good form with the putter. Every hole bar the eighth hole is a solid birdie opportunity and converting the chances is the key to success. Those players in danger of losing their Tour cards are under pressure with only four events remaining this season.

Key attribute: Touch.

Time difference: Las Vegas is eight hours behind Ireland.

Weather forecast: Clear skies and a gentle breeze.

On TV: Sky Sports 3 from 9pm.