Paramus, New Jersey ….
Russell Knox believes his chances are now ‘slim’ in being afforded a wildcard pick for next month’s Ryder Cup.
Knox tees-up in this week’s £Stg 6.9m Northern Trust and the opening event of the four-event FedEx Cup ‘Play-Off’ Series being held on the Ridgewood Country Club course in Paramus, New Jersey.
However, for the likes of Knox and many of his fellow Europeans, including Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Ian Poulter and Paul Casey, it is the last event to seek European Team automatic qualification off the ‘World’ points list.
Knox is currently the sixth ranked on the list behind the leading four – Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Alex Noren and Thorbjorn Olesen – and with Cabrera-Bello (5th), Poulter (6th), Casey (7th), Matthew Fitzpatrick (8th), Sergio Garcia (9th) and Knox 10th.
Russell Knox admits his chance of earning Ryder Cup selection is slim. (Photo – European Tour).
Cabrera-Bello has the best chance of breaking back into the leading four as victory this week would see him oust Olesen to secure a second straight European Team cap, and this after he was unbeaten in the losing 2016 Hazeltine side.
With Captain Thomas Bjorn to name his four ‘wildcard’ picks on September 5th the smart money, and as the rankings stand at present, is on the Dane selecting Poulter, Casey, Garcia and Henrik Stenson.
“Looking back, I needed a good performance at both the Bridgestone and the PGA Championship but then a good showing in this first FedEx Cup Play-Off event still may help,” he said.
“But I would say my efforts in Akron (T38th) and St. Louis (T45th) didn’t help my cause.”
Two year ago, there was plenty of calls for Knox to be picked by Darren Clarke and particularly coming off the Scot’s brilliant Travelers Championship victory, and with Knox clearly disappointed when not handed a Hazeltine cap.
“It is totally different this year for me compared to two years ago and while I haven really studied the rankings, I do know it is going to be difficult for Thomas not to pick Poulter, Stenson and Garcia,”Knox added.
“That leaves one more pick and while I can come close to forcing my way into selection this week there is also a couple of guys ahead of me and that is a very different scenario to two years ago.
“Though in saying that I do believe I have done well the past few months what with finishing second in the French and winning the Irish but if I am totally honest with myself I don’t think I’ve done enough.
“Playing well in the French could be in my favour but it’s probably going to be a completely different course for the Ryder Cup.
“It will make for an interesting week this week and I am proud as I have given it my all, and I’ve played a ton of golf and I’ve tried as hard as I could to get so close as I am thanks to the second and the win.
“It’s also been good to be a part of the conversation and I believe I should be in that conversation as I feel myself to be a good enough golfer to be right there, and I know going forward I can improve to be one of the automatic qualifiers.
“And I would disagree that it’s harder to qualify if you are competing in the States as golf is golf and if I had of won two times in the US then it what it is.”
Knox’s immediate goal this week is to improve on his current 84th FedEx Cup ranking and while he looks assured to move onto next week to Boston, Scot has to be inside the leading-60 to contest the penultimate September 6th commencing BMW Championship.
Joining Knox this week is fellow Scot Martin Laird and presently ranked 113th and needing a strong showing if he’s to join Knox next week in Boston.
Of course, most interest will focus on Tiger Woods who inches ever-closer to a first victory in over five-years.
And for a second time this year, Woods finds himself grouped for the opening two rounds in the company of Aussie Marc Leishman and reigning European No. 1 Tommy Fleetwood.
The three competed alongside each other for the first two days of the Masters but with Woods struggling with scores of 73 and 75.
And Fleetwood reckons after what will be a fourth round this year in Woods company, he’s ready to ask to tackle the 14-time Major winner head-on should Woods be afforded the expected ‘wildcard’ pick.
Fleetwood said: “The more you play alongside someone like Tiger, the more comfortable you are, the more use to it and the more it becomes the norm.
“I’m sure it can’t do any harm for sure and I’m looking forward to playing again alongside Tiger and Marc this week.”
Scottish tee times: (UK time)
Martin Laird – 2pm
Russell Knox – 5pm
