It had been a red-hot putter that got Martin Laird into winning contention but it was an ice-cold flat stick that denied him victory in the Phoenix Open.
Laird went into the final round just a shot off the lead but the shortest stick in the Scot’s bag soon began his biggest concern.
The triple PGA Tour winner parred the opening two holes of the TPC Scottsdale course before three-putting the third hole from 27-foot for bogey.
And from there on it was a case of being on the dance floor but never closer enough to the band with Laird producing 14 straight pars up until dropping a shot at the last in a round of a two over par 73.
In fact, after posting just 24 putts in his second 66 that sent him soaring up the leader board Laird accumulated 33 putts over his fourth round.
It handed the local Phoenix-based Scot a share of seventh place at 13-under par.
Laird had been looking to end a near four-year winless drought since denying Rory McIlroy down the stretch to win the 2013 Valero Texas Open.
Laird’s only comfort is that he has improved his World Ranking jumping from 143rd to 115th.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama made it five wins in the space of nine events in successfully defending his title wining with a birdie at the fourth extra hole to beat American Webb Simpson.
Bizarrely, Matsuyama won the event a year ago in defeating Rickie Fowler also after four additional holes.
Both Matsuyama and Simpson had ended regulation play tied at 17-under par.
Simpson, winner of the 2012 US Open, posted a sizzling last day 64, while Matsuyama continued to show why he’s the hottest golfer in the game signing for 65 after his closing round of an eagle and five birdies.
Matsuyama had ended 2016 winning four of his closing five events, and the 25-year old is the first player since Johnny Miller in 1974 and ’75 to win back-to-back Phoenix Open titles.
“I just had faith and believed that my chance would come again, and I just waited and waited, had patience,” said Matsuyama through an interpreter.
“Finally that last one went in so hopefully I can just keep riding this as long as I can.”
But then Matsuyama's success has seen him remain at No. 5 in the world but now right on the heels of World No. 4 Dustin Johnson.
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