Naples, Florida …
Russell Knox ignited the hopes of the ‘Ryder Cup reject’ pairing of he and Luke Donald with a string of four birdies on the opening day of the Shark Shootout at Naples, Florida.
Knox, who was hardly known to Donald before their pairing, this week, birdied the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th holes in the ‘scramble’ format on day one of the $US 3.1m 24-player event.
It left the all-British pair just shots behind the leading duo of Americans Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly heading into Friday’s ‘modified alternate shot’ format.
“Luke and I gelled nicely after getting off to a decent start even though those first few holes were playing tough,” he said.
“It was at the start of the back nine that I really played good and that great thing was that in holing those four birdies from the 10th meant Luke didn’t have to putt.”
Donald, who like Knox had been overlooked for Hazeltine Ryder Cup selection, then chimed in to birdie 14 and 15 and lift the side to 10-under ahead of the duo combining to birdie 17 and the last.
“I didn’t know Luke all that well ahead of this week but I’ve managed to spend the last few days in his company and I’ve got to know him a lot better,” added Knox.
“He’s a great player and I could see first-hand why he’s a former World No. 1.”
And Donald was just as praiseworthy of his Scottish-born team-mate.
“Russell’s a nice partner to have as he’s a very solid player. He hits the ball very straight and I really didn’t have to worry too much at all out there today,” said Donald.
“We’d crossed paths a few times over the past couple of years and it’s been great to catch-up with him properly this week as he’s really impressed me of late given he won twice this past season.
“I could see why he’s won a WGC title and also the Travellers as he hardly put a foot wrong out there today while he putted really nicely out there.
“I guess we were the two Ryder Cup rejects so it would be nice now to go on and prove them wrong by winning this week (smiling).”
Knox’s biggest problem it seemed on day one was a spectator having trouble finding the Scot’s picture page in the daily pairing booklet ahead of a post-round autograph.
“Five, four, three, two, one,” said Knox counting down before he then took hold of the booklet to locate the proper page.
