Russell Knox got a ‘well done’ kiss from his wife after knocking in a 20-foot birdie putt at the final hole in a round of a one under par 69 on the opening day of the Honda Classic.

Knox, who was involved in a four-man play-off for the title a year ago, commenced his round from the 10th hole with a bogey and then produced 10 straight pars before a first birdie of his round at the third hole or the 12th of his round on the Champions course here at PGA National.

Scotland’s Russell Knox shoots a 69 on day one of the 2015 Honda Classic. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)

The Scot then birdied his 14th before dropping a shot at the next ahead of finishing on a high note with birdie.

It left Knox inside the top-15 on day one of the $US 6.1m event and five behind little-known American Jim Herman.

“I am very pleased with one under as it was hard out there and about as windy as I’ve seen it here,” Knox said.

“I stood on the first tee of my round saying that given the conditions par is more like 72 than 70, so to shoot the score I did is really nice.

“But after a bogey at 10 I thought this could get ugly as there is a lot of hard holes you have to negotiate over the back nine but I played great with a few excellent up-and-downs.

“It’s also a good spring board into the next couple of rounds given I haven’t played for a few weeks, and especially teeing off and knowing that the conditions will be difficult all day.”

Knox singled out the highlight of his round being at the par three 17th or the eighth hole of his round where chose the wrong club off the tee.

“The shot flew into the back bunker and landed on a down slope so to walk off with a par was probably the highlight of the round,” he said.

“But I hit it really close on one to about three feet and missed it for birdie and drove it left on two but made a 10-footer for par, and then birdied the par five third hole, and that birdie was also a big moment.

“So really pleased with my day’s work and it ensure dinner tastes good tonight.”