Straffan, Ireland … Scotland’s top-ranked Russell Knox was left in despair after cracking the face of his WGC – HSBC Champions winning driver on the opening of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
Knox managed to find just half of the K Club fairways in a disappointing Emerald Isle debut of a three over par 75.
“It’s a pretty special driver given it’s the driver I used to win late last year out in China,” he said.
“It’s only the second head I’ve had on this particular driver I’ve used the same style of driver for the past three-and-a-half years, and I’ve had this head on the driver probably for about two years.
Russell Knox points to the crack in the face of his WGC – HSBC winning driver. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“I spoke to an official and he said I could still go ahead and use the driver but not sure if I can continue to use it on Friday knowing it is damaged.”
Knox’s problem has been compounded as he only travelled with the one driver from the States to Europe for his two events that also include next week’s BWM PGA Championship.
As well, the various equipment trucks that tend to the players needs left the K. Club late Wednesday afternoon and bound for Wentworth.
“I never travel with any back-up drivers or clubs, and in my career I’ve only ever bought two drivers so I thought the odds were in my favour,” he said.
Cracking the face of his driver only added to a ‘miserable’ day for the Scot who battled heavy morning rain to be level par with two birdies and two bogeys over his outward nine but then played the inward half in three over.
“What a miserable day as I had questions on every hole why I came over here but while it fined-up on over my back nine, I actually played better with the conditions at their worse going out,” he said.
“But in playing the back nine first, it was just brutal out there with the rain driving down and the wind blowing hard, and it was about as difficult as it could get.
“And also having so many clothes on, I don’t think I got the club-face properly on the ball to the 12th hole.
“Also then it was hard to trust my driver knowing what was wrong with the club.
“But all in all, I am happy with the way I was able to hang in there as it’s an awful long golf course when you have a cracked face on your driver.”
If left Knox already trailing 10 shots adrift of new Masters champion, Danny Willett who grabbed eight birdies, including three in succession mid-round in a seven under par 65.
