In an impressive return to the Korn Ferry Tour (KFT), Martin Laird, a Denver-area resident and accomplished golfer, secured a runner-up finish at the UNC Health Championship in Raleigh, North Carolina. This event marked Laird’s 50th career appearance on the Korn Ferry Tour, and it highlighted a significant gap in his participation, as his last KFT event was in 2020 and prior to that, in 2008.
Despite his long absence from the tour, the 42-year-old Laird showcased his competitive spirit and skill. He found himself in contention for the title, just one shot off the lead with four holes remaining on Sunday. Although he faltered toward the finish with three consecutive bogeys, he managed to tie for second place, earning $65,000. This performance stands as his best result in a PGA Tour-affiliated event since his runner-up finish at the 3M Open in July 2023.
Laird currently has conditional status on the PGA Tour, having placed 145th in the 2024 FedExCup Fall standings, which limited him to only six events this year with just one made cut. Seeking competitive play, he decided to participate in the Korn Ferry event after a break, expressing enthusiasm for testing his game against a talented field.
His performance at the UNC Health Championship included rounds of 64, 65, 66, and 69, culminating in a total of 16-under-par, five shots behind winner Trace Crowe, who had a remarkable finish with 62-64-65 in the last three rounds. Laird’s impressive play featured two eagles and 18 birdies over the four-day event.
Commenting on his experience, Laird expressed his enjoyment of Raleigh Country Club, noting its similarities to Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver. The challenging greens contributed to his comfort and success during the tournament, where he demonstrated that despite the years away from KFT events, his competitive fire still burns brightly.
This unexpected yet strong showing highlights Laird’s enduring talent and could pave the way for a more prominent return to the PGA Tour in the near future, bringing hope to fans and aspiring golfers alike that with persistence and passion, success remains within reach.