The late withdrawal of injured Thomas Bjorn has somewhat robbed Russell Knox to impress the Dane ‘close-up’ with his commitment to qualify for Bjorn’s European Ryder Cup team.
Knox, along with Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, were drawn together with Bjorn for the opening two rounds of the STG 3m event being hosted by Lee Westwood on his Close House course near Newcastle.
Instead, Bjorn’s place has been taken by England’s 27-year old Laurie Canter.
It would have been Knox’s first chance to play alongside Bjorn and in what is also the fifth European qualifying event for the 2018 Ryder Cup.
Knox is making his British Masters debut and a week after also competing for a first occasion in the Portugal Masters where Knox finished T34th and electing to compete on The Algarve after failing to qualify for the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship.
However, Knox’s Portugal effort saw him drop a further three places on the World Rankings to World No. 61 and his poorest ranking since he brilliantly jumped from 85th in the world to 31st in capturing the 2015 WGC – HSBC Champions title.
Russell Knox heads the field of seven Scots this week at the British Masters (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
As well, this week’s event if Knox’s fifth ‘regular’ European Tour event and thereby satisfies the mandatory number in retaining Tour membership for 2018 though he’s not entered next week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
It is also Knox’s third event back ‘home’ this season after contesting May’s BMW Championship at Wentworth and ahead of him teeing-up in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and the following week’s Open Championship.
Though Knox will not need reminding he missed the cut in all three events as he seeks to become the first Scot in 17-years to win a British Master title following Gary Orr’s success in 2000 at Woburn.
But if there is two items Knox has missed being back in Britain and that he will enjoy this week is his favoutie hot breakfast -bacon rolls and baked beans.
“I’ve missed the baked beans and the bacon rolls in the morning,” said Knox to Bunkered magazine.
“Also this is my first visit to Newcastle so it’s nice to be here. Hopefully the weather stays like this all week. The condition of the course looks unbelievable and it looks like there are some fun holes. I think it’s going to be a good test and it’s going to be fun to play.”
“The game is pretty good. Everything feels better than I’ve been scoring, so that’s always a plus. I’ve just got to put it all together. Golf is tricky, but I’m optimistic that things are going to turn around here and I’m looking forward to a good week.”
British Masters – Scottish tee times –
Richie Ramsay – 8.30am; Stephen Gallacher – 8.40am; Scott Jamieson – 9.10am; Russell Knox – 12.20pm; Marc Warrn – 1pm; David Drysdale – 1.10pm; Duncan Stewart – 1.40pm.
