Sponsors and Tour officials have no doubt been reading reports originating from the States in recent week’s with exciting young Scottish talent Russell Knox being afforded an invitation to contest July’s event at Royal Aberdeen.
The Daily Record, Herald and www.golfbytourmiss.com has been campaigning strongly for the newly-wed Knox’s cause.
Knox has been speaking also of being able to return to Scotland with his new wife, Andrea.
Now the European Tour has confirmed his invitation today (Tuesday).
The 28-year-old has been invited to play at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, from July 10-13, where he will take his place alongside some of the game’s leading players, including defending champion Phil Mickelson and former World Number Ones Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood.
And they could be joined by a host of other stars including the likes of Rickie Fowler and Patrick Reed who indicated recently at the RBC Heritage Classic a desire to possibly tee-up in the Granite City.
Russell Knox sure to be signing autographs for his Scottish fan base after confirmation of an invitation to contest July’s Scottish Open. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
As well, reigning US Open champion Justin Rose has been reported in the Daily Record, The Scottish Herald is among those thinking of adding the event to his schedule along with current US Amateur champion Matthew Fitzpatrick.
Knox, who has been based in Florida since studying business management at Jacksonville University, has posted three top ten finishes on the US PGA Tour this season, including losing in a four-man play-off to Russell Henley in the Honda Classic at the start of March, and is currently 25th on the PGA Tour’s FedEx Rankings.
And as pointed out by the Daily Record, Herald and www.golfbytourmiss.com last week, Knox has also earned more than $1million in prize money already in 2014 to be the richest-earning Scot this season, as well as breaking into the top 100 on the World Rankings for the first time, making him the second highest ranked Scotsman after Stephen Gallacher.
While Knox’s parents are now also based in America, his sister Diane Campbell is a well-known radio DJ in Glasgow on Clyde 1, and he is hoping for some local support when he tees it up at Royal Aberdeen.
“Playing in the Scottish Open will be the highlight of my year,” said Knox.
“I would’ve loved to have played at Castle Stuart, given my Inverness roots, but unfortunately I was unable to as I was trying to keep my card in America, so it will be great to finally get the chance to play on home soil.
“Hopefully I will have some support at Royal Aberdeen and hopefully I can put on a good performance for the Scottish golf fans.
“It’s been a very good year for me so far and I feel my game can keep on improving. The field for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is obviously very strong, and I’m really looking forward to competing against some of the world’s top players on home soil.”
