Erin Hills, Wisconsin ….

Top Scot Russell Knox believes a small dram of confidence could see him become a surprise U.S. Open winner later this week at Erin Hills.

This year’s second Major showdown is only Knox’s third U.S. Open but of the XX Majors he has contested it is the only Major where he has made every cut albeit finishing T45th in 2013 and T23rd in 2016.

And of the four Majors Knox has contested it is the U.S. Open he believes he has the strongest opportunity for success.

Russell Knox looking for a small dram of confidence to toast the bigger Picture. Photo … www.golfbytourmiss.com

“A .S. Open is good for me as I drive the ball straight, so if I get a good week where I am driving the ball straight and keep the ball in play then I would say the U.S. Open is my best chance at a Major,” he said.

“But then looking at the Majors I have contested the U.S. Open has been my best result as I have made the cut in the two U.S. Open’s, I have contested.

“I still think I am going to do well at Augusta, and I feel sure of that. I just feel good about the Masters”.

While Knox, and one of three Scots in the Erin Hills field, has struggled this first half of the season he boasts he haspreviously beaten everyone in the field this week, including defending champion, Dustin Johnson who he kept at arm’s reach to win the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

“Clearly, I have not had the results I wanted leading into this U.S. Open but then at the Memorial I made 16 birdies and it was not as though I wasn’t able to make any birdie putts and it was just that I had too many bad holes,” he said.

“So, you never know as it will all depend how they set up Erin Hills.

“All I need is that little thing to grab onto and that little bit of a confidence lift and away I go.

“So, if I do, and I am confident I can then it will be game on.

“The thing is also I feel confident contesting the Majors but at the same time I also do not want to under achieve like I have been of late as I want to play good.

“But then in saying that with every bad performance I do put myself under a little pressure though I know I will get it back so it is not like it is the end of the world.

“And the good thing about a U.S. Open is that is never a level playing field, and in saying that you are not going to get a surprise winner.

“Would I be a surprise winner, absolutely.

“But I mean I have beaten everyone in that field before, including going down the stretch in Shanghai with Dustin Johnson who is defending this coming week.

“So, there is no one competing next week that I feel intimidates me and from that standpoint there is no concern.  Also, I know how to having won out here twice.

“That is all I need a little sniff and, as I said, away I will go”,

And given the controversy that engulfed Johnson a year ago at Oakmont, Knox says the USGA, as organisers of the U.S. Open will remain under scrutiny given remarks already, including those last week of former U.S. Open Graeme McDowell who suggested the Erin Hills rough is so tall and thick you could lose your caddy.

“The USGA is under a lot of pressure in getting the set-up of the golf course right and not make it too difficult, and I think Adam Scott came out and said that,” he said.

“I then heard Graeme McDowell s remark so given Erin Hills is already a big golf course the USGA should just let us just go out and play, and do not make try and trick it up.

“I am confident the USGA will listen to those competing”.