Scottish rookie Russell Knox has been presented with a last minute chance to win the last remaining place into next week’s Masters.
Knox, 26 was first reserve into this week’s $US 6m Shell Houston Open but not expecting to play when American Chris Kirk withdrew just prior to tee off on the Redstone course.
Kirk informed officials he was withdrawing due to ‘family’ reasons.
However the Inverness born Knox had been in America’s fourth largest city all week hoping to get a start on the Redstone Course and with in the chance, like all but 38 playerrs in Houston, at grabbing the last remaining Augusta National qualifying place on offer to the winner.
Knox ‘tweeted’ on the eve of the Texas event: “I hope someone pulls a hammy so I can play” and he got his wish when Kirk withdrew.
The Scot is competing on the PGA Tour for a first occasion after winning his Tour card by finishing 12th on last year’s secondary Nationwide Tour.
The Florida-based Scot missed the cut in his first four events before grabbing a share of 30th place in February’s Mayakoba Golf Classic.
And in his last PGA Tour event, the Puerto Rico Open, he again sat out the weekend rounds.
Former Masters winner Angel Cabrera and Sweden’s Carl Pettersson head the Houston event with seven under par 65s when lightning halted play at 1.27pm local time and then later forced an abandonment to any further play.
Knox, who was out in the afternoon half of the draw, had pared his opening two holes just prior to the stoppage.
