Charlotte, NC …

After his best finish in some nine months Scotland’s top-ranked golfer heads into the PGA Championship declaring it is good to again be Russell Knox.

Knox had set himself a personal goal last Sunday to finish ahead of Rory McIlroy and while each were among four to share fifth place, the Scot took much pride and delight in shooting a 68 compared to McIlroy’s 69.

Russell Knox, and in shorts, working on his game on the range at Quail Hollow. Image … www.golfbytourmisss.com

Upon arrival Monday at Quail Hollow and venue for this week’s PGA Championship it was if Knox had won the event with many walking up to him on the practice range to congratulate the now World No. 41 on his Bridgestone showing.

Indeed, it was Knox’s best finish anywhere since he was third last November in the defence of his Mayakoba Championship.

And with the year’s final Major starting Thursday in suburban Charlotte and ahead of the of the FedEx Cup Play-Off Series and the commencement to Ryder Cup qualifying later next month, Knox’s share of fifth last Sunday could not have been more timely.

“It is good again being Russell Knox as last week is how I would like to see myself playing and competing“, he said smiling.

“So, it is important that I continue to play like I did last week.

It was also timely result and besides I needed to see something positive so it was firstly, nice to get off to a good start and eventually finish strongly sharing fifth place.

“The thing is that through all of what has transpired this season, I have remained pretty positive as I always knew it was not that far away which is nice.

“What is nice is the number of people who have come up and have been congratulating me on my efforts last week saying “Well done“ which has been nice.

“I had switched the shafts in my irons and went back to using the putter that I had used to win my WGC title in China.

“So, it was an awesome week because I went into the event not knowing what to expect as I had played poorly there last year, and getting off to my good start I just managed to keep the momentum going.

“It was also great to get the competitive juices flowing again and unlike the nervousness of trying not to miss a halfway cut, it was nice to find those competitive juices flowing all four days.

“Then to play with Rory the final day was nice so it was a very important, positive week.

“In fact, I set myself a goal heading into the final day to finish ahead of Rory and while we shared fifth place I was delighted to finish a stroke better than Rory.  So to beat him was nice and that is always my goal to finish ahead of the player I am grouped with.

“Finishing bogey, bogey was disappointing even though I felt I got a bit unlucky it was still a very positive week so I do not want my finish to take away what for four days was a great week“.