Laird 66/1 to win the US Masters

The home of golf was celebrating yesterday as Scotland completed a double on both sides of the Atlantic. In Spain, Paul Lawrie landed his first tournament in nine years, winning the Andalucia Open by one shot. Later that evening Martin Laird endured a roller coaster round to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational by the same margin.

Over in Florida, Bay Hill resembled a US Open, as only six players broke 70 in the final round. A combination of a light breeze and sun hardened ground meant greens in regulation were hard to find and even harder to stop the ball on.

Overnight leader Laird went from a three shot lead, to a three shot deficit in the space of seven holes but birdies at 15 & 16 brought him back into contention as his rivals faded. A daunting two putt from 85 feet on the last hole was duly delivered and the 28 year old from Glasgow gained his second tour victory.

With the Masters only two weeks away, the bookmakers have cut Laird to 66/1 (from 125/1) to win on his debut at Augusta.

Further down the field, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson never threatened, tying for 24th on one-under. Both players top the betting for the Masters but are on the drift, with Woods 8/1 and Mickelson 9/1 to don the green jacket.