Scotland's Martin Laird is choosing Las Vegas over St Andews this week - and the record books explain why.
Scotsman misses Dunhill to have another crack at PGA crown
Scotland's Martin Laird is choosing Las Vegas over St Andews this week - and the record books explain why.
Although the Arizona-based Scot finished fifth in last year's Dunhill Links Championship and would have enjoyed the chance to return to home soil, his record in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Vegas is phenomenal.
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.
Laird was faced with a tough choice of where to play this week, but he explained: "The reason I'm not coming back for the Dunhill this year, unfortunately, is that it falls opposite the tournament in Las Vegas."
"But I hope to be back next year to play."
Top 125
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 500-1 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.
