Less than five years ago he lost his US Tour card. His career was in a freefall and he had plunged to No. 337 in the world. He cries every time he wins,  like he did in Los Angelges last Sunday evening, because he remembers what it’s to be below ground zero.

Now he’s flying high having given himself the reality check that saved his career. In fact for someone who might have been an extra in Lost he has done more than rescue himself – he’s no No 2 in the world. He said after winning the Northern Trust Open at Riviera : “I went to Tour school in 2005 and I didn't make it.

Martin Laird didn’t get a mention from Colin Montgomerie in Abu Dhabi -  as the Ryder Cup Captain got all excited about the pack of European rookies, vying to make October’s Celtic Manor clash with  Corey Pavin’s men. Not that it bothered or even surprised Laird. Until just over three months ago, he was flying much too low to be picked up on most radar screens. Monty, however, might now want to cast his eyes across the Atlantic as he ponders who could make his team.

For Laird, his days of being the ‘Invisible Man’ of Scottish golf are very definitely over. If he has his way, he’ll be the there in Wales trying to win back the Samuel Ryder Trophy and he declares, with typically quiet determination “making Monty’s team is my aim and yes, I think it is possible. More than that, I want to do it, or at least give it my best shot. I think that this season I am ready to go for it”.