Crooked Stick, Carmel, IN …. Scotland’s Russell Knox has ruled out contesting October’s Safeway Open even though he longs for the day to play alongside Tiger Woods.

While Woods has announced he will hopefully return to competition at Napa in California the first event of the PGA Tour’s 2016/17 wraparound schedule is simply not on Knox’s agenda.

However the current No. 7 on the FedEx Cup points list did join the chorus celebrating Tiger’s impending return.

Russell Knox has Jack Nicklaus looking over his shoulder as he signs a few autographs but he’s longing to play alongside Tiger Woods. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“It’s awesome Tiger’s returning to competition and it’s just great for golf”, said Knox.

“It’s still a dream of mine to be paired with Tiger so I hope also when he does come back he’ll be strong and competitive.

“We have guys out here like Rory, Dustin, Jason and Jordan, and they all carry a lot of weight and collectively are great for the tour, but then they would be the first to say that no one can draw crowds like Tiger can.”