Scotland’s top world-ranked Russell Knox boosted his Ryder Cup aspirations going so close to victory in the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head in South Carolina.
Knox cut a swath through the field snatching five birdies on the last day in a score of 68 around the alligator-infested Sea Pines course.
It handed the US-based Scot the clubhouse lead on seven under par and three behind South African Branden Grace, who had moved to 10-under par, and on the back of being six under par with three holes to play.
But when Grace bogeyed 17 it put Knox just two behind and tied with England’s Luke Donald who was tied with Knox and three to play, and as he sought to win on the PGA Tour for a first time in four years.
Russell Knox finished tied second at Hilton Head. (Photo – Getty)
In the end, Grace won a first PGA Tour title by two shots and with Knox sharing second with Donald.
Knox had been well in contention heading into day three but drew absolutely no TV coverage from US host CBS, and with the Scot only shown on ‘the box’ when shaking hands with his playing partner on the final green.
But that all changed on day four with Knox, and decked out in a pair of eye-catching pink pants, getting a lot of exposure including holing a testing 12-foot par putt on 17 after sending his tee shot well through the green.
He said: “I was thrilled with how I played today as I made some nice putts out there today.
“I felt like I was cruising when I holed that birdie putt to go into a share of the lead, and right into the mix.
“I was thinking if I shot three under par on the back nine I might have a chance, so I was happy with the way I conducted myself and the shots I hit coming down the last few holes.
“So where I finish I am thrilled.”
Knox had missed out on earning any European Ryder Cup points with victory in last November’s WGC – HSBC Champions event in China.
However, he quickly joined the Tour and managed to bag Hazeltine qualifying points a week later in going close to finish second in the Mayakoba Championship in Mexico.
Knox, who is already lying high up on the FedEx Cup points table, teed-up in South Carolina lying a distant 66th on the European Team ‘World’ points list and with his top-of-the-field showing sure to see the Scot jump well up the table.
He said: “I am just so happy to be enjoying my golf. Winning again would mean the gaol of playing the Ryder Cup but I am just so fortunate to be playing in these great tournaments like the Majors, the WGCs and being a member of the European Tour.
“So I have just to soak it all in and go for it.”
