Russell Knox is struggling not only with the pressure of a ‘home game’ but a far from user-friendly putter through three rounds of the Players Championship.

Knox and his wife Andrea live at just five minutes from the TPC Sawgrass course at Jacksonville Beach and it’s meant a big following of friends and supporters have been out each day with the Scot.

But despite superb birdies on two of his three closing holes in a round of 72 to remain at two-under par Knox walked from the course frustrated in taking 32 putts.

Russell Know fighting Players putting anxiety and expectations of ‘home event’ support. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)

He said:  “It was nice to roll in birdie putts at 16 and 17 but the other 16 were horrendous.

“I just struggling with my putting but then every other birdie this week has been a tap-in but then I’ve hit so many other good putts these three days that have just missed and to be honest, it’s demoralising.

“The greens are always tricky here, and I know this golf course so well having played it so many times, so I have to find a way to putt better around here.

“I am just putting too much pressure on myself but in saying that, putting is hard but then it shouldn’t be as it should be the easy part of the game.

“So I have to figure it out and it’s not the putter as it’s me but I am getting closer but then at this stage it’s almost luck they go in.

“As well, knowing this course well it suits my game superbly but then it’s tough also from the aspect I have great family and friends support this week and I want do well so bad for them.”

Knox’s round was a mix of three birdies and an equal number of bogeys, and completing his third round in the company of American Patrick Reed who makes his European Tour membership debut next week at the BMW PGA at Wentworth.

Stephen Gallacher posted a see-sawing round in mixing six birdies with four bogeys in a two under par 70 to move to four under par.

Pick of the birdies was a 16-footer at the sixth and then landing his tee shot to just a foot at the par three eighth hole.

He said:  “There was a lot of red numbers on my card today that was nice and once again I felt as though I putted really well.

“But then you just have to keep it out of the rough as it’s brutal if you’re in it.

“I’ve got one round left before I head home and I feel there’s a 66 or a 67 in there and that would be nice to take to my next week at Wentworth.”