Baird comes ever so close

SAN MARTIN, California - For the second time in 348 career starts on the PGA Tour, Briny Baird felt he was poised to win a tournament before falling agonizingly short on Sunday.

Seeking his maiden victory on the US circuit, journeyman Baird (pictured) was beaten by fellow American Bryce Molder on the sixth hole of a sudden-death playoff after missing a seven-foot birdie putt for the title four holes earlier.

"I'm happy, and I'm very disappointed," Baird told reporters after watching Molder sink a six-footer for birdie at the par-four 18th to claim his own breakthrough success on the PGA Tour. "I know how long I've played, and I lost my concentration one time today and it was one of the putts that I had to win the golf tournament. I looked ahead, and that was a mistake," he said, referring to a missed birdie opportunity on the second extra hole.