Scotland’s Russell Knox has superbly kick-started his New Year birdieing his closing four holes on day one of the Bahamas Championship.
The Florida-based golfer commenced his round from the 10th tee and was clearly struggling to be two-over through 13 holes on the Ocean Club host course on Paradise Island
Knox then turned his play around superbly birdieing the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth holes, proudly heading to the clubhouse at two-under and just inside the leading 40 in the opening event of the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season.
Knox is contesting a first round since last October’s Korn Ferry Tour Championship when he completed his 2025 season with a 70 for a distant share of 55th place.
This week also marks the start of a 19th year in the pro ranks for the very affable Scot who has enjoyed seven worldwide wins in his play-for-pay career, including two each on the DP World and PGA Tours.
The American duo of Ben Martin and Ben Kohles posted sizzling nine-under 63s but with Martin ruiing a closing hole bogey also in his 63.
Camilo Villegas, who is grouped with Knox for the opening two rounds, is next best in signing for a flawless eight-under 64.
The champion Colombian, who turned 44-years-old four days ago, was two-under over his outward nine and played the inward half in six-under.
Villegas is a five-time former PGA Tour winner.
SUPER NEW YEAR START …..
Russell Knox brilliantly birdies closing four holes day one @KornFerryTour @BahamasKFTour at Atlantis Paradise Island in two-under 70
Americans Ben Kohles & Ben Martin in c’house with 63s
KFT
✅ @TOURMISS… pic.twitter.com/NbCvaEx7RR
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) January 11, 2026
