Russell Knox now finds himself also faced with the dilemma, should Masters Champion Danny Willett withdraw, of considering if he will travel to this year’s Rio Olympics.
Willett, as a father of a less than two-month old boy, has joined four-time Major winning Rory McIlroy hinting he may not elect to tee-up in Brazil for fear of contracting the Zika virus.
And if Willett were to withdraw ahead of the July 17th close-off date for qualifying Knox would qualify as first reserve to partner Justin Rose in the GB Oympic Golf Team.
Scotland’s Russell Knox reunited with ‘Old Faithful’ – new head on his WGC – HSBC Champions winning driver after cracking the clubface during the first round of last week’s Irish Open (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“I really hadn’t thought about it until now learning what Danny’s had to say and I can understand fully where he’s coming from given he is now a young father,” said Knox.
“I know in speaking with my wife, Andrea she does not want to see me travelling to Brazil
“It’s something I will, and may need to give serious consideration especially all the events I will play now from this week’s BMW PGA right through to the cut-off for Rio on the Sunday night after The Open are massive in terms of World Ranking points, Ryder Cup points and points in trying to qualify for Rio.
“It’s unfortunate that this talk is going on with the excitement of golf returning to the Olympics but you can’t blame the likes of Rory or Danny.
“So if there’s a one per cent chance of not being well or whatever you have to seriously consider if you should go.”
On a more positive note Knox has been reunited with ‘Old Faithful’ and the driver he cracked during last week’s opening round of the Irish Open, and where he pushed eventual winner Rory McIlroy all the way to the finish line.
Tour equipment staff replaced the head of the driver ahead of Knox making his debut in this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
“It’s a brand new head but the same shaft and the club I won with out in Shanghai last week, so I’m delighted to have the driver back in my bag,” he said.
“Looking back on last week those three last holes played right into Rory’s favour but then I sat back on Sunday night knowing that I needed to birdie 17 that I didn’t.
“But then I had a million chances to be ahead as I was around the hole all that last round and Rory necessarily wasn’t.
“And to have a chance to take down a legend like Rory was pretty cool so I managed get one hand around his neck but couldn’t quite manage to get my other hand up there (smiling broadly).”
