Martin Laird Takes Trophy in Surprise Win at JT Shriners Open Finale
- Author: Faith-Ann Young
- Posted on: Monday October 19, 2009 at 12:00 PM
There was yet another almost impossibly beautiful pastel-colored sky on Sunday, Oct 18th at Las Vegas' TPC Summerlin for the close of the JT Shriners Tournament. Maybe the skies were trying to tell us something...as the tournament couldn't have ended more climactically if it was staged by higher powers.
Katie Walker who is a Shriners Ambassador, Shriners patient LaQuan Phillips, Justin, Champion Martin Laird, and Shriners Reps.
The surprise winner of the day? Scotsman Marin Laird, a second-year PGA Tour player from Glasgow, Scotland, who beat out former champion George McNeill and UNLV graduate Chad Campbell in a sudden-death playoff yesterday afternoon.
Prior to this tournament, it looked like Laird would finish out of the top 125 and lose his tour card. So not only was he an under-dog, but the win - the first in his career - was essential to continuing his PGA career.
Said Laird according to the Las Vegas Sun, “I was standing there thinking, you know, is this all really happening right now,” Laird said. “I was out there and I felt great all day.”
How did it happen? Laird won on the third playoff hole, making a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th after McNeill bogeyed the hole. Campbell was eliminated after the second playoff hole, the par-3 17th. Great game by all and no better way to end an action-filled week.
Out of the bunker....
Justin with Champion Martin Laird
Martin Laird kissing trophy
Martin Laird celebrating a good putt.
To all those who helped make JT Shriners Open the success it was - from the organizers, volunteers, participants, spectators' and even readers - thank you all for making the magic happen. It seems all worthwhile knowing the impact this one week has on the children at the Shriners Hospitals.
Meanwhile, here at JT.com, we're going to fill the rest of the week with JT Shriners Recaps and Highlights so look out for them!
More information on JT Shriners Open HERE.
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COMMENTS
“ Beautiful photo Justin:)) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ”
“ aweeee! curly hair is back :) ”
