World No. 1 Jordan Spieth singled out Scottish ‘Nice Guy’ Russell Knox by predicting he could be a rival later next year in the Ryder Cup.
Knox relegated this year’s double Major winner Spieth into a share of seventh spot and five shots adrift in capturing the recent WGC – HSBC Champions in Shanghai.
The win in China’s financial capital was a maiden PGA Tour success for the Aberdeen-born Knox that sent him to the top of the 2015/16 FedEx Cup standings.
Knox then went further ahead on the points table despite losing out in a play-off a week later in the Mayakoba Classic, dubbed ‘Mexico’s Major’.
Spieth, who has muscled his way to winning back-to-back Australian Open titles in Sydney, said he was very impressed with Knox long before his break-through Tour triumph.
“Whenever I’ve spoken to Russell he’s been like one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met and it’s a reputation I know he has on the PGA Tour," said Spieth.
“I know he had a couple of close calls before winning out in Shanghai when he's got himself into contention but really just kind of played uncharacteristically ‘off’ that particular day.
“So for him to go into a WGC like he did in Shanghai, and especially in a Ryder Cup qualifying period, and to win a WGC as your first main Tour win was pretty impressive.
“Then just as impressive was for him to travel from one continent to another the very next week and nearly capture a victory in Mexico, as it just showed that he was still riding that rich vein of form he displayed in China.
“Winning the HSBC and going so close in Mayakoba just shows the talent he possesses and it can only help him in being able to finish off more tournaments.
“I know if he keeps playing the way he’s been playing of late then I could be facing him later next year at Hazeltine, and if so, I know he would have really deserved his place in the European side.”
Spieth has set himself the target of completing the weekend rounds in 10-under par if he’s to capture a second straight Australian Open title.
He headed into the third day trailing only four shots behind Arizona-based Aussie Matt Jones, winner of last year's Shell Houston Open.
“My goal is with two rounds to play to go out and shoot 10-under par and I think that should be good enough," said Spieth.
And there was the added pressure for Spieth, along with playing partners Geoff Ogilvy and Lee Westwood, when the group was advised by a Golf Australia official on the 14th hole they were a hole-and-a-half behind and needed to pick up the pace on play.
“It’s tough as we were falling behind but then at 10 Lee was off the tee box moving people, so it’s tough when you get told to hurry up," added Spieth.
“So you’re in a bit of a rush and it’s never a good thing; you’d rather it not happen but you obviously understand it, you have to keep pace but then we just had bad luck.”
Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts, contesting his first Australian Open, is well positioned to end a three-and-a-half year winless drought after posting the best round of the day, a five under par 66, to be among five players including former Australian Open winner Geoff Ogilvy (71) at three under par.
England’s Lee Westwood, who played alongside Spieth and who beat then World No. 1 Greg Norman in the 1997 Australian Open, shot a 72 to be at even par and tied with close friend and European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke.
Clarke, who brought the gleaming Ryder Cup to Australia for a first ever ‘down under’ visit, bounced back from a first round 75 to grab five birdies in a second day four under par 67.
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