Knox Heading ‘Down Under’ On A High After Securing 2019 Open C’ship Tee Time.

Dubai, UAE …

Lone Scot Russell Knox was on a high ahead of the long-haul flight to Australia delighted to have at least secured a place in next year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

Despite a disappointing mid-field DP World Tour Championship finish Knox has ended the European Tour Race to Dubai season 16th on the money-list and with the top-30 guaranteed entry into the 2019 Open.

Knox posted scores of 73, 68, 73 and a last day 71 on the Earth Course at Jumeriah Estates in Dubai.

It handed Knox a share of 34th place and 15 shots behind England’s Danny Willett who ended a 593-day winless drought since capturing the 2016 Masters to brilliantly win by two strokes.

A happy ending to the 2018 European Tour year for ‘Team Knox’ (Photo @tourmiss)

Knox’s overall 16th place standing is easily his best in now three counting straight European Tour season’s with a prior best season finish of 37th on the 2016 Race to Dubai.

He said:  “It was good this week and my first time playing here at Jumierah Estates.  I was just a bit disappointing on Saturday as health-wise I just felt terrible and hence the reason for my 73.

“I just picked-up on overnight bug or something as it cost me which was a bit disappointing as I am swining the club well.

“My stomach felt weird all day but today I felt fine but then I was little low on energy as I haven’t eaten that much.

“I felt I played good today though I shanked a pitching wedge from the middle of the fairway to take double-bogey on the 10th hole and other than that it was pretty good.

“I’m heading to Melbourne happy that my game is good and I’ve gained a lot of confidence these past few weeks, so I am not that far off from playing some serious golf.

“And the great thing to come out of this week is knowing that I’m into The Open next year so that’s a great end-of-year boost.

“So, the goal now is to get myself into all four Majors of 2019 and that will be my New Year goal.”

And after competing in recent weeks in Shanghai, Turkey and then spending last week relaxing in Greece with wife, Andrea the Knox’s were leaving Dubai at 3am local time Monday morning for the near 14-hour direct flight to Melbourne, Australia but not arriving to 11.30pm local time Monday night ahead of Thursday’s start to the World Cup of Golf on the famed Metropolitan course in suburban Melbourne.

He said:  “I’m now looking forward to my last event and that’s teaming this week with Martin (Laird) in the World Cup in Australia though I have to say I’m not looking forward to the flight.

“Hopefully, Martin and I can sign off the year delivering a World Cup victory for Scotland.”

 



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