New Orleans, LA …
Russell Knox will be hoping a good showing in this week’s new team format Zurich Classic will catch the early eye of European Ryder Cup Thomas Bjorn.
In a regular PGA Tour first in 36-years, 160 players have formed 80 two-man teams playing alternate shot on Thursday and Saturday, and then play best ball on Friday and Sunday and with the leading 35 teams to play all four days.
Russell Knox on the New Orleans range with caddy, Bradley Whittle ahead of this weeks Zurich Classic
Knox has teamed, by choice, with long-time American colleague, Kevin Streelman and like Knox, a two-time winner on the Tour.
“I am looking forward to playing with Kevin as we have been friends for a long time while we have a mutual coach in Lynn (Marriott) and Pia (Nilsson), and we also have the same manager,” he said.
“So, that is one of the big reasons while we are playing together.
“There is also going to be that extra pressure as being one of my best mates out here, I don’t want to mess-up or let him down and especially in the alternate shot format.
“But then that is a good pressure to have and we are here determined to win the event given it is a hard golf course and with a lot of water about
And with 2018 European Ryder Cup qualifying to get underway later this year Knox knows all too well the worth of doing well in this weeks $US 7.2m event.
“I think the Ryder Cup Captain maybe be casting an eye over what goes on this week but then maybe I should have chosen a fellow European,” he said.
“But then in saying that, I am sure it is important for any team captain to see how you get along with any partner.
“So, if some of the Europeans do play really well I am sure it may have Thomas’s attention.
“The thing is that up until the World Cup last year I had not played team competition since I do not know when.
“That’s another reason I am looking forward to this week to say that I have another team event under my belt and more team experience.
“Also, a good finish in my last event at Hilton Head I practiced hard at Pablo Creek where I am a member and really delighted with the work I undertook.”
Kevin Streelman and with his caddy assisting his swing on the range at the Zurich Classic
And the 38-year old Streelman is in decent form having made the cut in his last four Tour events.
“Russell and I are very excited and he has been a good friend of mine even before he got on Tour and it was me who introduced him to Lynn and Pia which was about eight or nine years ago,” said the American.
“So, we are very close friends and I kind of mentored Russell when he first came out on Tour.
“The good thing is our games match each other very well and I think we can do very well this week”
