Augusta, GA …
It was being pointed out to Russell Knox the past two winners of the Masters were competing at Augusta National for just a second time in their careers when Jordan Spieth eaved-dropped on the conversation reminding the Scot – “You never know, you never know!”
Spieth had finished runner-up in 2014 before winning a year later while Danny Willett shared 38th place in 2015 before seizing his opportunity a year ago to be fitted with an Augusta member green jacket.
This year marks Knox’s second appearance in the Masters but with his debut twelve months ago marked by the disappointment in shooting rounds of 79 and 73.
Knox was standing front in front of the stately Augusta clubhouse when recognising it is his second Masters in saying: “Yes, I was aware it was Jordan’s and Danny’s second Masters when they each won. I like it here, so you never know ….”.
A year ago and Russsell Knox left to rue to poor drives over his two rounds to miss the cut in his first Masters by two shots.
He didn’t get to end his comment as that second Spieth walked past remarking: “You never know, you never know”.
As the World No. 6 continued on his way, Knox responded: “You have to beat this guy. I know I’ve got the game and I was happy with the way I played here last year from tee to green. If I had a few putting days like he (Spieth) had, then I’d have been in contention instead of missing the cut.
Missing the cut has sadly been the scenario in recent weeks for Scotland’s top-ranked golfer as evident in three of his past five events and something Knox has not done since mid-2015 when he missed the cut at The Open, played all four rounds of the Quicken Loans but sat out the weekend rounds in the PGA and the Wyndham Championship’s.
Knox knows how to win having captured the WGC – HSBC Champions and last year’s Travellers Championship so the next stage of his career to begin challenging in the Majors albeit this week is only his ninth Major.
Scotland’s two representatives at this year’s Masters – Russell Knox and former Champion Sandy Lyle. (Photo – Getty)
“First of all was getting to play in all the Majors which was great,” he said.
“My best finish is 22nd in PGA last year so I have got to beat that. I would like to say I am coming here to contend and I am capable of doing that now. But I need to beat 22nd.
“And I need to be up there in the top ten. Of course, I would love to be in contention but I have got to make the cut here, play all four days, chip away at it, and hopefully have my best finish ever.”
Indeed, Knox’s Canadian-born caddy Brad Whittle has more experience at Augusta than Knox having previously caddied eight times for Australian Wayne Grady and Knox will again draw heavily on his knowledge.
“That’s the tough thing, as I haven’t figured it out yet the Majors,” said Knox.
“Clearly, if something amazing were to happen this week it is life-changing but you can’t almost try and win. When I won in China, of course you are trying to win but you just have to try and relax and enjoy it and play as well as you can.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself which I probably did last year with it being my first Masters.
“You just want to feel prepared but you realise Thursday to Sunday you have to concentrate a lot and this is not an easy course to walk. You are going to use a lot of energy so wasting energy on Monday Tuesday Wednesday is a mistake. It is a tough to get that right balance especially as I feel I haven’t played that much golf.
“I’ve taken a lot of weeks off and when I have played I’ve missed a few cuts. I feel super fresh. So much so that I want to be out there all day Thursday through Sunday is what matters.”
Knox will tee up at 10.12am — 3.12pm UK in the company of Rickie Fowler and Hideki Matsuyama.
Sandy Lyle, and making his 36th appearance, will tee off at 8.55am – 2.55pm UK and joining American Sean O’Hair and reigning British Amateur champion, Scott Gregory.
