Russell Knox set about burying last fortnight’s Honda Classic disappointment to be in contention on day one of the Valspar Championship in Tampa Bay, Florida.
The Inverness-born Knox posted a one under par 70 in unusually cold but bright conditions in the $US 5.8m event being played on the Copperhead course at the Innisbrook Resort.
Scotland’s Russell Knox sets about making ammends for his Honda Classic disppointment. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
It left the 28-year old just two shots behind four players who head the event at three under par – the American duo of Matt Every and Pat Perwz along with Australia’s Greg Chalmers and Korean-born New Zealander Danny Lee.
Knox is returning to competition for a first time since losing out in a four-man play-off two weeks ago at the Honda Classic and in what was his best-ever result on the PGA Tour that saw him jump to 119th on the World Rankings after ending 2013 as the World No. 245th ranked player.
Knox’s has travelled south-west to Tampa for only the second occasion in his career after having missed the cut in last year’s event with a pair of 75s.
However the Jacksonville-based Scot did not count on the Scottish-like weather that greeted players early on the opening day.
“It was just so cold and also dark this morning when we got to the golf course,” he said.
“It’s not the sort of weather you expect in this part of the country and a little different playing with a few extra layers of clothing on than I’ve been used to the last month
“As for my game, I was all over the place today but managed to scramble my way to a 69.”
Knox started his round with a bogey at the 10th but holed a 28-foot birdie at the 12th before sinking an eight-footer at the downhill par three 15th.
He then successfully negotiated his way through the first two holes of the famed three-hole closing stretch affectionately known as the The Snake Pit, the 16th and 17th holes but dropped a shot at 18.
Knox then played his inward nine in one under par with fifth hole birdie sandwiched between eight pars.
And despite his disappointment a fortnight ago at the Honda Classic, Knox declared he gleaned a lot of confidence in putting himself in position for a first time to win on the PGA Tour.
“I was very happy being in there with a chance to win the Honda Classic,” he said.
“I can’t be too disappointed I didn’t win as it was just nice to have given myself a chance of winning. You can’t control who is really going to win as all it takes in play-off situations is for one person to play one lucky shot and Russell (Henley) did that to win.
“So I was thrilled. I was happy also with the way I handled myself and I hope to be back there with a chance of a first Tour win as soon as possible.”
