• World Rankings

Laird pushing for Ryder Cup spot

ESPN staff
January 11, 2012
Martin Laird is up to No. 33 in the world rankings © Getty Images
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Scotland's Martin Laird is setting his sights on a Ryder Cup place after kicking off his bid to gatecrash the European team.

Laird finished runner-up to Steve Stricker at the PGA Tour's season opener, the Tournament of Champions, on Monday - and in the process reached 40th in the Ryder Cup standings.

He was unable to start scoring points four months ago, when most of the other candidates could, because he did not play in 13 European Tour events last season.

He is now an affiliate member of the European Tour, and is hoping to make up for lost time as quickly as he can.

"I've been saying the last month or two I want to get off to a quick start this year and get my name up there as a name that's in contention for the team," he said. "Obviously coming out here [Hawaii] and playing like that has done that for me, but I reckon I need to win at least once, maybe twice, to get on that team on points."

Laird climbed 14 places to 33rd in the world rankings with his efforts in Hawaii.

World Rankings: 1. Luke Donald (ENG), 2. Lee Westwood (ENG), 3. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 4. Martin Kaymer (GER), 5. Steve Stricker (USA), 6. Adam Scott (AUS), 7. Webb Simpson (USA), 8. Dustin Johnson (USA), 9. Charl Schwartzel (SAF), 10. Jason Day (AUS), 11. Matt Kuchar (USA), 12. Graeme McDowell (NIR), 13. Nick Watney (USA), 14. KJ Choi (KOR), 15. Phil Mickelson (USA), 16. Justin Rose (ENG), 17. Hunter Mahan (USA), 18. Sergio Garcia (SPA), 19. Ian Poulter (ENG), 20. Paul Casey (ENG).

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