Hilton Head, SC …
Russell Knox continued a fondness for the second round of this week’s host course in again taking a huge bite out of the alligator-infested course with a five under par 66 on day two of the RBC Heritage.
The Scot birdied four of his opening six holes and dropping his only shot at the 12th before birdies at 13 and 15 in glorious warm conditions on the Harbor Town layout at Hilton Head in South Carolina.
It handed Knox a share of tenth place at six under and just four behind the leading duo of England Canadian Graham DeLaet (67) with Ian Poulter (68) and former US Open champ Webb Simpson (68) in second place on eight under par.
The effort continued a great second day scoring trend for Knox having shot a tournament best of 64 on route to a T15th finish in 2015 while he shot a 65 a year ago on day two of the $US 6.3m event ahead of eventually sharing second place.
Russell Knox enjoys chatting with SKYs Nick Dougherty after his round of 66.
And after missing the cut in last four events, including last week’s Masters, Knox was naturally delighted with his round.
“I really felt I needed a round like this as it kicks my butt every year so I just remembered what to do,” said Knox.
“I haven’t holed a putt in two months (smiling) and I have been putting pretty bad so the best I to improve your putting it hit it closer to the hole.
”I also put a new putter in the bag this week, a See More, and that proved a great asset taking just 24 putts”.
Knox indicated one the keys to his round was shortly after his bogeyed the 12th hole when he hit a wedge shot into the par four, 13th hole and holed the birdie putt from seven feet.
“That was a big putt for me given I had just dropped a shot as it was important to get back on track quickly,” he said.
“The thing is I did not make many long putts out there today outside of 1o feet only because I hit a lot of shots inside sort of six feet.
“Also I look back to this time last year, and while I had won out in China late in the year before, my second place finish here a year ago was really the start of my good season as I went on to play good at The Players and then finish runner-up to Rory in Ireland and just kind of went on from there.
“But I have been looking forward to this week as I really have not been playing as bad as my scores would suggest of recently.
“I have a new Srixon driver that is working very well while I have four wedges in my bag for this week while I changed my putter. It is still a “See More” but a slightly different shape.”
The wedges Knox has in his bag, and after taking out a hybrid club, are a 47, 50, 56 and a 60-degree wedges.
Fellow Scot, Martin Laird and playing in the company of Poulter, added a one under par 70 to move to three under and ensure he plays all four rounds of the $US 6.3m event.
