East Lake, Atlanta. GA … Russell Knox joked he would ‘save’ the $10m (£7.7m) bonus prize if he won this week’s PGA Tour season-ending FedEx Cup in Atlanta.
Knox is only the second Scot after compatriot Martin Laird in 2010 to tee-up in the Tour’s 30-player only finale on the East Lake course.
But unlike Laird who finished well down in 95th that season and before changes to the qualifying process, Knox mathematically does have the chance to lift the FedEx Cup.
However, it would mean first capturing the Tour Championship and for the seven currently above him on the Cup points standing each produce very indifferent showings.
Smart money is on reigning US Open champion and Cup leader, Dustin Johnson to win for a fourth occasion this year.
Top Scot Russell Knox on the East Lake GC practice range ahead of this week’s season-ending Tour Championship. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
But then any in the top-five, including England’s Paul Casey in fifth, can win the FedEx Cup and the $US 10m bonus pool, with victory on the course that played boyhood home to Masters founder, Bobby Jones.
Knox, a double winner on the Tour this 2015/16 season, spent Wednesday in sweltering conditions working on the range right alongside his opening round playing partner, Jordan Spieth as well as double Masters winning Bubba Watson, who is desperate for a Ryder Cup ‘wildcard’ pick on Sunday night (US time).
“Being here at the Tour Championship is a reflection of what a great season I’ve had,” said Knox.
“So it’s a real honour for me to be here in Atlanta at this time of year for a first time and unlike past seasons this year I feel like I have played well all year.
“In years past I have played well in parts whereas this year I played really well at the start winning the HSBC in China while I played well also in the middle part of the year and well at the end winning the Travellers.
“So it’s been a real positive year for me”.
Knox believes helping his cause this week is the immaculate East Lake course that boasts just two par 5s and will be playing to a par 70.
“The course is just stunning as you could just lie down on the fairways and go to sleep because the fairways are just immaculate,” he said.
“The like the fact there is Bermuda rough as it will help a medium hitter like me while the fact there is only two par 5s and being a par 70 as historically par 70 layouts play into my my hands.
“It also puts that bit of extra pressure on the big-hitters who make their scores on the par fives.
“I look back last fortnight to Crooked Stick where there was the normal four par 5s and given the course was also wet, it just played massively into the big-hitters hands.”
And what would Knox do if he did win the $US10m FedEx Cup prize bonus.
“I’m a Scotsman. I’d save it,” he said smiling.
“I’ve done the maths and if I was to play really well then I could have a chance, and if I was to win the tournament and not secure the FedEx Cup I am not going to be unhappy.
