Bethpage Park, NY … Scotland’s Russell Knox is hopeful his goal of a Ryder Cup ‘wildcard’ pick has not been spoilt after revealing he turned down Darren Clarke’s suggestion to contest last week’s Wydnham Championship.

It has come to light the European Ryder Cup captain along with vice-captain Ian Poulter phoned Knox suggesting he could lock-in an automatic qualifying place by teeing-up in North Carolina.

There were many observers who shared Clarke’s belief given Knox was just a few points adrift on England’s Matt Fitzpatrick on the European Team ‘World’ points list.

Russell Knox reveals he received phone calls from both Darren Clarke and Ian Poulter to compete in last week’s Wyndham Championship but turned down the suggestion declaring he needed the rest ahead of the Play-Off Series. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

And in Knox’s absence, Fitzpatrick secured the ninth and final qualifying European Team place courtesy of his fifth place result in the Czech Masters.

But then with more ‘World’ points on offer at Greensboro Knox could very well have secured his place in Clarke’s team and not now have the anxiety of relying on a ‘wildcard’ pick when Clarke’s announces his three picks on Tuesday.

And after posting a two under par 69 to get back to even par in continuing hot and humid conditions of day two of the Barclays Championship on New York’s Long Island, Knox revealed the pressure Clarke placed on him to compete in North Carolina.

“I could understood where both Darren and Ian were coming from but then I also felt I was tired and I had just won a nice trophy and I needed a bit of downtime after my Travellers win as it took a lot out of me,” said Knox to SKY Sports.

“So I was never planning on playing the event so in saying that it was a horrible choice I had to make and given it was my last chance at qualifying automatically.

“But then I am pleased with my decision as the FedEx Cup means a lot to me and I did not want to be tired coming into this week and for the up-coming weeks.

“Darren told me that it was my choice so it was a tough call.  I thought about it for days and just decided that given I had not practiced all week I would not tee-up.

“And also I felt in many ways if I did go to Greensboro I might not be as competitive and besides I just could not go there and think to myself I was going to qualify for the team.

“The way Fitzpatrick also played so well in the Czech Masters would have made my job even harder, as well.

“So hopefully Darren will have respected my decision and it won’t go against me.”

Know went into this week’s struggling with a mystery ‘bug’ he picked-up off his wife’s niece and while clearly under the weather on day one, the Scot felt a lot more comfortable on the 2019 US Open and 2024 Ryder Cup host course on day two.

“It wasn’t a good start again as I bogeyed my first two holes to be four over for the tournament and then to stand here at even is pretty pleasing,” he said.

“But then I did not feel comfortable over the ball today as I could not get comfortable with my swing and I was hitting it all over the place.

“So I didn’t feel dialled in and that makes me even more happy and I was able to grind it out and make the cut.

“I’m also about 50 to 60% better health-wise and hopefully I will have shaken this bug I’ve picked up ahead of teeing-up tomorrow.”

And with Belgium’s Thomas Pieters well-placed and lying third in Denmark, Knox knows his closing two Bethpage Park could make or break his chance of catching Clarke’s eye for a ‘wildcard’ choice.

Knox said:  “I would love to shoot two more scores in the 60s as that would be really good, but it could all depend on how they set up the course.

“But whatever I do it’s an extremely hard decision for Darren as I also don’t know what Thomas Pieters has done today as if he continues to play well he could come into the reckoning as he’s been playing well and also played alongside Darren the first two rounds in Denmark.

“I don’t know as there’s lot of people he could pick but then I feel as though I’ve made a big enough case for a pick so we’ll just have to wait and see.

“I know I could help the team but then if I’m not among the three I am sure those players will do a good job.”