A new putter and new outlook landed Russell Knox well into contention and just a shot from the lead on day one of the Barclays Championship.

Knox also drew well on the ‘Scottish connection’ given the Plainfield course was designed by Dornoch-born Donald Ross in shooting a four under par 66.

It put Knox into a five-way share of fifth place but only a shot back from the leading foursome that includes double Masters winning Bubba Watson.

A new putter and a new belief helps Russell Knox to a four under par 66.

Knox said:  “I have very hard on myself the past two weeks but then I need to be like that as you watch Jason Day and Jordan Spieth recently and they are so into every shot.

“I’ve been too laid-back and I’ve today to up my intensity and it’s paid off.

“Also, I just managed myself well and also played well which was a huge difference from recent weeks and that got my confidence up, as well.

“I’m also a big fan of Donald Ross designed courses so that is another factor plus I put a new Scotty Cameron putter in the bag for this week.

“The course is tricky enough and for most part I was laid-back and more intent on simply hitting the greens in two for most of the day.

“So four under par, and just one off the lead at this stage, is a great springboard into the second round.”

In contrast, fellow US-based Scot Martin Laird shot a two over par 72 and will now require low second score if he’s to make the cut and guarantee a place in next week’s Deutsche Bank Championship, and the second of the four Play-Off events.