Martin Laird holds the trophy after winning the Valero Texas Open on Sunday. (AFP-Yonhap News)
SAN ANTONIO (AP) ― Martin Laird tied the course record with a 9-under 63 to hold off Rory McIlroy to earn his first win in more than two years at the Texas Open.
Laird began Sunday four shots behind leader Billy Horschel, but posted a bogey-free round to finish 14 under overall and earn the third win of his career, his first since the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2011. The Scottish golfer entered the week having missed four of eight cuts this year.
McIlroy, the world’s No. 2, began the day at 6 under before posting a 66 to finish two shots back in second ― his best finish of the year.
Horschel shot a 1-under 71 to finish in a tie for third with Jim Furyk and Charley Hoffman.