A strange thing happened to Russell Knox recently. He missed the cut. The always consistent Scot had gone 17 events without making an early exit so a premature departure in the Waste Management Phoenix Open earlier this month was something of a shock to the system.
Knox is back on PGA Tour duty this week in the Honda Classic at PGA National in Florida and the 31-year-old is in an upbeat mood as a returns to one of his happy hunting grounds. Knox underlined his growing stature in this same event back in 2014 when he lost out in a play-off for the title. The following year he finished in a share of third.
“The 2014 Honda Classic was my coming out party so after a second and then a third a year later it would be nice to finally go one better", he said. “It’s one of my favourite tournaments of the year and while it’s nice to have good vibes coming back here it doesn’t always guarantee you are going to play well. But there is a bigger spring in my step knowing that I can definitely win here.”
While fully focussed on affairs in Florida this week, Knox has one eye on the first major of the year at Augusta in April and the Inverness exile has already got his Masters preparations underway.
Knox made his debut in the tournament last year but endured a torrid introduction and swiftly found himself on the back foot with an opening 79 which eventually led to him missing the cut.
“It’s just so awesome driving into Augusta, and now for a second time, as it’s just a magical place", said Knox of his recent reconnaissance mission to Georgia. “It was opportune last week as I was not playing out in Los Angeles. Of course, playing well at Augusta is super important but I am more focused about peaking this week and also next week in Mexico. I want to play well every week.”
On the European Tour, meanwhile, a six-strong Scottish contingent are in action at the Joburg Open. Marc Warren, David Drysdale, Scott Jamieson, Duncan Stewart , David Law and amateur, Connor Syme, all compete.
Elsewhere in the Rainbow Nation, Liam Johnston of Dumfries made it through to the last eight of the South African Amateur Championship with a 6&5 win over Robert Foley. Earlier in the day, Johnston was handed a place in the last 16 when his opponent, fellow Scot and defending champion, Craig Ross of Kirkhill, had to withdraw through illness. Johnston is aiming to become the fifth Scot in the last seven years to land the matchplay title.
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