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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Laird wins playoff in Las Vegas for first PGA Tour title

Associated Press

Scotland’s Martin Laird won the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open on Sunday in Las Vegas for his first PGA Tour title, beating George McNeill with a birdie on the third hole of a playoff.

Laird closed with a 3-under 68 to match McNeill (67) and former UNLV player Chad Campbell (69) at 19-under 265. Campbell was eliminated on the second extra hole.

The 26-year-old Laird, a former Colorado State player, earned $756,000 and a two-your tour exemption for the breakthrough victory at TPC Summerlin in his 53rd tour start. He jumped from 134th to 62nd on the money list with $1,271,254.

Three-time Las Vegas winner Jim Furyk (62) and Jeff Klauk (68) tied for fourth at 18 under, and former UNLV player Charley Hoffman (68) followed at 17 under.

Former Pullman resident Kirk Triplett shot a 72 and finished seven strokes off the pace.

Champions Tour

John Cook won his third career Champions Tour title and first of the season, closing with a 4-under 68 to hold off Jay Haas and Bob Tway by two strokes in the Administaff Small Business Classic at The Woodlands, Texas.

The 52-year-old Cook, an 11-time winner on the regular PGA Tour, finished at 11-under 205 on The Woodlands Country Club’s Tournament Course.

Haas shot a 71. Tway had a 70.