2011 Arnold Palmer Invitational winner Martin Laird with Arnold Palmer

The 28-year-old Scot, who dropped five holes in the first 11 holes of his final round after starting the day two shots clear of the field, claimed he never doubted he’d win his second PGA Tour title that afternoon, even though most of the TV pundits had written off his chances. And he also announced that he’d never previously met or spoken with tournament host Arnold Palmer.

Laird, who tiptoed over the winning line with a one-shot victory over Steve Marino, then found himself shaking hands with the King for the first time prior to lifting the trophy.

Three birdies and just one bogey over the final seven holes brought him home in 75 over a Bay Hill course that was playing especially tough.

“I don’t know if I was nervous,” Laird said. ”I’ve let a few tournaments go and I wasn’t joking around when I came out today—this was going to be my tournament to win, and I felt comfortable. I never thought about not winning. At three down I didn’t have a choice, I had to make birdies—Steve was playing so well and he wasn’t going to drop all the way back to where I was. That was the focus – not a place finish, I was out there trying to get this trophy.”

Laird, who lost the Barclays to Matt Kuchar in a playoff last year after three-putting the 72nd green from 20 feet, produced excellent pars at the 17th (an up-and-down from behind the green) and the 18th, where he two-putted from 87 feet, to double his tally of PGA Tour wins, adding to the 2009 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

Australian Marc Leishman tied for third on six-under par with England’s Justin Rose, who came home in 31 shots, and David Toms.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson tied 24th on one-under par and will have been far from pleased with their efforts so close to the Masters.