After one of his toughest years on the PGA Tour, Scotland’s Russell Knox has decided to enter Q-school a week prior to Christmas in the goal of securing one of five 2024 PGA Tour membership cards.
One of the nicest guys in pro golf endured a poorest season this past year, contesting a whopping 37 events though securing a best finish of T21st in the 2022 RSM Classic, as part of the 2022/23 schedule but then losing full players at the recent season-ending 2023 RSM Classic.
Knox played all four rounds in 23 tournaments but hurting the proud Scot was missing the cut in 17 events including a horror run of sitting out the weekend rounds in 10 of 11 events in a row from February through to May.
Russell Know – 2018 Irish Open winner (Photo – European Tour)
After a money-list high of 10th in the 2015/16 season, and capped by wins at the 2015 WGC – HSBC Champions, and with that super photo of trying to bite the trophy, and nine months later winning at the Travelers Championship, it was all different in 2023 with Knox ending 144th on the standings.
It does afford Knox ‘conditional status’ on the new full 2024 season but it will not be a ‘pick-and-choose’ tournament schedule, hence the decision to enter Q-School that’s being held from December 14-17 at two courses in Ponte Vedra, Florida and a short drive from home to each venue.
The leading five earn full 2024 PGA Tour membership and get to tap into the unprecedented riches that seem to be waiting for all those with their playing cards.
“I have to come to peace that it wasn’t a very good playing year for me,” he said in speaking with fellow colleague Doug Ferguson from AP
“That’s where I’m at and do my best where I get to play.
“Fortunately, I’ve had a decent career. Just because it’s one tough year doesn’t mean it’s over.
“That’s been the tough thing — 80% of the time I’m a world-class player, and the other 20% I’m a 20-handicap.”
And as Doug pointed out in his piece, the top-50 will be guaranteed eight “signature events” with all but one (The Sentry) offering $20 million, what does that mean?
Then in going back to a full January to December playing schedule, players like Knox will also lose some half-dozen events in the US autumn,
“To be honest, I don’t know if it’s going to be more than normal or less than normal,” said Know, also chatting with Doug.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how it plays out,” Knox said. “Are the top guys going to stick to elevated events and majors? Are there going to be 30 or 40 guys who play everything?”
All we can do is wish Russell all the best and look forward to catching up with him, Andrea and, of course, Rusty in the New Year.
