Glasgow golfer Martin Laird reckons he is on the road to recovery despite crashing to a crippling finish in the PGA Tour's Waste Management Phoenix Open on Sunday night.

The 32-year-old, who led by three strokes heading into the final round, was still in the hunt with two holes to play but leaked a shot on 17 and then double-bogeyed the last to drop back into a share of fifth.

Despite missing out on a fourth PGA Tour title, Laird is confident he is heading in the right direction again after a spell in the doldrums.

Since reaching a high of 21st in the world rankings back in 2011, the former Scottish Youths champ has slithered out of the top 100 following a slump in form that came after his win in the Texas Open of 2013.

Laird, who became a father for the first time last year, is slowly clawing his way back up the order and a second top-five finish of the new season provided further proof that things are on the up.

The Scot heads for Torrey Pines in San Diego this week for the latest event on the American circuit and he is keen to keep moving forward.

Laird, who is now 136th on the world rankings, said: "I feel my game is obviously back to where it was a few years ago, and I feel like I come to tournaments to try and win again. You know, a finish like that [in Phoenix] is hard to take but you've got to take positives out of it. I was leading a golf tournament without feeling like I was playing at my best so if you need a positive, that's it.

"Torrey Pines is one of my favourite courses, if not my favourite course, and I don't see why I can't go there, get in contention again and hopefully get a win."

Meanwhile, Glasgow ace Marc Warren has clambered up to No 50 on the latest world rankings, six places higher than ailing superstar Tiger Woods.

Warren, runner-up in the Qatar Masters just over a week ago, is now on course to earn an invitation to April's Masters and he will be looking to cement his position in the upper echelons with a strong showing at this week's Malaysian Open.

He said: It's the first time ever in my career I've ever been close to Tiger Woods in the world rankings. It's always been a career goal of mine to be among the top-50.

"I thought I might pick up a few spots so to move up six places is great and it's another big incentive for me to play well again this week in Malaysia."