Russell Knox’s m.aiden appearance in this week’s Masters began with a poster on his bedroom wall in suburban Inverness.
It was not just any football team or rock star poster but a poster of Tiger Woods in winning the 1997 Masters and the first of his four Augusta National victories.
Nick Faldo fitting the first of four Green Jackets to Tiger Woods in 1997.
Along with a picture of Woods being fitted with the famed green jacket highlighted on the poster in Knox’s bedroom was the records Woods had broken that year including winning by a record margin 12 shots, setting a 72-hole Augusta record, becoming the youngest winner at Augusta as well as being the first non-white to win the Masters.
It was all the inspiration a then 11-year old boy growing up in the north of Scotland needed.
Knox said: “Tiger winning in ’97 was my sole inspiration.
“The poster of Tiger had all the records he broken that year written on the poster, and every time I would go to bed there’s this poster of Tiger staring at me.
“I had probably watched TV coverage of the Masters before ’97 but that win, and for anyone who is around my age in that generation, it just prompted me to want to play golf.
“And seeing Tiger win in the manner he did in ’97 just made me want to also practice and work so much harder on my own game.
Tiger Woods breaks all sorts of records in winning the 1997 Masters and helping inspire an 11-year old Russell Knox.
“It was my inspiration and that win just ignited my dream of wanting to be out here on the PGA Tour and with the chance to play the Masters and now I have that chance next week.
“But then I just grew-up in an era when Tiger dominated world golf and that’s why everyone now is so good, and these young kids out here now like Jordan (Spieth) and Rory (McIlroy) are playing so great because of Tiger.
“So he was my idol, for sure”
Of course, it will be difficult for Knox not to be over-awed teeing up in his first Masters but fortunately much of the ‘Woh’ factor went when he took his father to play Augusta earlier this year.
If anything, it was Mike Knox who got the bigger thrill.
Knox said: “I have never been one to get overawed at most things but then I am sure I will be excited to be there and just going there knowing I have been afforded an invitation to play the tournament.
Victory in the Far East earns Russell Knox a first Masters appearance.
“Of course, when I went there in February it was great to drive down Magnolia Lane and to undertake the tour of the clubhouse and the locker-rooms, so that was pretty cool.
“In fact, it was my dad who was really excited and I don’t know how many times he said the word ‘Woh!’ as everything at Augusta was ‘Woh!’ in his eyes.
“But then everyone also has been saying to me don’t over practice and try not to over prepare and treat the Masters like it is another tournament but that’s going to be difficult given it will be my first Masters.”
Somewhat surprisingly, the Masters will be only the 29-year old’s fifth Major after making his ‘Major’s’ debut at the 2013 Open Championship where he finished tied 45th while he’s missed cut in the 2014 and 2015 PGA Championship and also last year’s St. Andrews Open.
However, while Knox could be considered a late bloomer to the Majors he reckons his career is going to plan.
He said: “It’s on track and I am a big believer in that there is no need to rush just yet, and you are ready when you are ready.
Russell Knox owes a first Masters appearance thanks to a bedroom wall poster of Tiger Woods winning 1997 Masters.
“Of course, I would have loved to be playing five years ago but then if it takes me five more years to feel comfortable to maybe win one Masters that will be great too. You are as only good as you are.
“I clearly have a great chance of getting back to Augusta also next year through my FedEx Cup standing so this year will be a good year to learn the course and everything that goes on around the Masters. So you never know I may play great next week.”
But then if Knox is short on Major’s experience, he’s big on aspiration and why shouldn’t he be having late last year won one of the biggest events in a next step down from the Majors.
He said: “I have to go to Augusta believing: ‘Hey! Why not me? I have beaten all these guys before. I can do it’
“People say it takes playing a few times at Augusta to get to know the course properly, and I don’t disagree with that, but then if you hit good shots, you hit good shots.
“And I will not be going to Augusta with the goal of just making the cut as I have set the bar higher than that even though I have only played in four Majors, and I’ve made the cut in one. Of course, making the cut would ensure a nice little pay cheque but with the HSBC win behind me, I just feel I am getting better and stronger with every tournament I contest.
“And it will not be just about showing up at Augusta to make the cut because I am better than that!”
Now instead of a poster of Tiger Woods on the wall, Knox has something very personal to admire handing on a wall in his own how – an invitation to compete in the 2016 Masters.
