Russell Knox is thinking of applying for new family member tournament credential in time for when he pulls off a next victory.
The champion Scot went so close to success at last fortnight’s AT & T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and what would have been a third PGA Tour win only to have any victory carpet pulled from under him after a bizarre and confusing double ruling early on the final day at Pebble Beach.
Looking on was wife, Andrea and the couple’s newest team-member, seven-month-old ‘Rusty’.
Andrea, Russell and ‘Rusty’ Knox
‘Rusty’ is a cute-looking Cavapoo and a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle, and who Knox introduced ahead of today’s (THUR) commencing Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in suburban Orlando.
And ‘Rusty’s’ already a winner (see photograph) having graduated with honours at PetSmart the leading stores in the States for everything pet-related.
Knox said: “Rusty’s a brown-haired fluffy thing and it’s the best. He’s been fun and just approaching seven months old. He’s full of energy and full of personality and a good little guy.
“He was with us when I played in Pebble Beach and then up to the Genesis and he was brilliant. No trouble whatsoever.
“We actually took ‘Rusty’ to a PetSmart when we were at Pebble for a little puppy bath and blow dry and he loved it.(smiling).
“It’s amazing when we go out how many people say ‘oh, we love your dog and can we pat him?’
And Rusty’s already a winner after graduating from PetSmart
“Andrea and I talked about getting a dog a few years ago and during the whole COVID lockdown we were sitting down inside the house for so long that we agreed we need to get a dog.
“And having the big RV makes it a lot easier to take him to tournaments. It wasn’t an impulse decision as we had been thinking about it for some time.”
Knox reckons he’s also got it worked out plans for a role for ‘Rusty’ when he wins a next tournament.
He said: “We’ll probably get his own credential (laughing). He’ll be famous out here and especially if I can manage to put him in a trophy on a Sunday as that would be fantastic.
“If would be great if it could be a large-size trophy like the PGA Championship trophy would work really well (smiling).”
Knox is among three Scots teeing-up on the famed Bay Hill course including 2011 Arnold Palmer winner and Robert MacIntyre, who is making his debut in this week’s £stg 6.6m event.
Laird went into the final round of the 2011 Arnold Palmer leading by two but after three early bogeys and an 11th hole double found himself trailing in fifth place.
The Scot regrouped with a 12th hole birdie and while he bogeyed 13, Laird birdied 15 and 16 ahead of two closing pars to win his second of now four PGA Tour wins by a shot and be greeted by tournament host, Arnold Palmer.
