Scotland’s top-ranked Russell Knox fears being unable to trust a borrowed driver over the final round as he eyes a ‘bonus’ top-three finish in the rain-affected Irish Open.
Knox was the clubhouse leader at five under par when darkness halted play at 8.28pm local time at the K Club course in Co. Kildare.
Knox had been four under par through 15 holes when play was first halted for some two hours and 20 minutes, and then on return to the course could not believe his good fortune to see his approach shot over the River Liffey running in front of the 16th green ricochet off rocks ahead of a birdie ‘4′.
Scotland’s Russell Knox is the clubhouse leader on five under par after three days of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open
The Scot then was staring at a 25-foot putt for birdie at the 17th when the players were again called from course after another thunderclap.
Knox said: “I had chunked a hybrid second shot into 16 and had written off the ball as going into the water.
“It was one of those things as it was my second shot after a more than two hour delay and maybe it was a little risky but I thought I am not here to not go for the green.
“I then had a 20-footer for eagle and only just missed the putt so to get a birdie there was a huge bonus.
“But with still a putt on 17 and the 18th hole to play, I am in a really good position and only four behind Rory (McIlroy) who I see still has five holes to complete.
“However, I have really hacked it all over the place today and haven’t played well at all, but I have managed to get up-and-down and make pars while I birdied 10 in the pouring rain that was a huge bonus.
“And then to birdie 16 was a super bonus, and I’m just doing well in hanging in there.”
When play eventually resumed Knox pared the hole along with the last in a round of 70 to take the lead at five under par.
Knox arrived on a maiden visit to the Emerald Isle quickly questioning his decision in having to don three layers of clothing along with water proofs only to then crack the face of his driver on route to a shock 75.
It was the same Cleveland driver Knox used to capture last November’s WGC – HSBC Champions event that also earned him a cool $US 1m prize cheque.
Fortunately, Knox managed to get a loan of a Ping driver from good friend and fellow Jacksonville resident, David Lingmerth of Sweden.
And Knox has taken a real liking to the driver so much so he joked he may not return the club to Lingmerth, and especially after storming back into the £STG 3.1m with a second day 66.
However, after starting round three by hitting his opening tee shot 80-yards right off the tee, Knox is already looking forward to replacement drivers being on hand at this coming week’s BMW PGA Championship.
He said: “I was pathetic the first day, brilliant on Friday but not too great today.
“This borrowed driver is behaving itself despite what happened off the first today, so it hasn’t been all that bad.
“It’s not fit for me so I am manipulating it around the course but then it’s going to be difficult to trust this driver coming down the back nine on Sunday.
“But then at the same time I had low expectations after that opening 75 and I thought anything after that score using a cracked driver has to be a bonus.”
