Palm Harbor, Florida …
Russell Knox boosted hopes of squeezing into next month’s Masters by upstaging reigning Augusta champion, Sergio Garcia on day three of the Valspar Championship near Tampa, Florida.
Knox kick-started his lowest round in 19 loops of the Copperhead course with an eagle ‘3’ at the first on route to a five-under par 66.
It sent the Scot into a clubhouse share of the lead at five-under par with 2013 Masters champion, Adam Scott who also signed for a 66.
Garcia had birdied his opening two holes but a three-putt at the last left the Spaniard fuming as he headed to the scorer’s hut.
No such worry for Knox and with the current World No. 98 needing a similar final day score along with a strong finish in next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando to boost hopes of firstly qualifying for the March 21st starting WGC – Match-Play.
And if Knox is among the world’s top-64 for the match-play it lifts the Scot’s burning goal of a Masters invitation.
He said: “Today was a great ball-striking day and I have been super close for months, so hopefully it’s coming together.
“Playing with Sergio today was great and he hit some beautiful shots, so I was just trying to follow him and it was good to pip him by a few.”
Russell Knox posts his lowest score of a five-under par 66 in 19 loops of the Copperhead course on day three of the Valspar Championship. (Photo @tourmiss)
After the eagle at the first, Knox pared his next seven holes before landing his second shot to 10-feet at the uphill ninth hole for the first also of three birdies in his round.
Knox then holed a similar length at the downhill 10th while he also birdied the 14th.
He said: “As I said, a round like this has been coming for some time as a 66 is not easy around here, so I was in control of my game for all 18 holes which was nice.
“So, another round like that tomorrow will be great to take to the Arnold Palmer and then a great showing at Bay Hill could get me into the Match-Play and hopefully then onto Augusta.
“The Masters in my burning goal and you never know into this game.
“Sergio and I spoke about the Masters and while he could have shot a few better than he did it was great to partnering him out there as it was the first time since I’ve competed alongside since he won the Masters.”
Waiting for Knox after his round was one of the Tour’s medical staff to advise he had to attend a random drugs test while Garcia left the scorer’s hut avoiding all contact with those waiting for him.
