Atlanta, GA ….
Despite two completely different golf games Russell Knox is confident he and partner, Martin Laird can end an 11-year Scottish drought with victory later this year in the ISPS Handa Melbourne World Cup of Golf.
Knox and Laird have now been officially confirmed as team-mates for the event starting 21st November in Melbourne, Australia.
Two years ago, Knox raised the odd eyebrow in choosing good friend, Duncan Stewart as his partner and with the duo ending the event mid-field behind the Danish duo of Thorbjorn Olesen and Soren Kjeldsen, and who will again team to defend their title.
Scotland’s Russell Knox confident he and Scotland partner, Martin Laird can lift the World Cup ‘Down Under’ later this year. (Photo @tourmiss)
No complaints this time around with Knox, as the current World No. 59 choosing the next highest world ranked Tartan golfer in Laird, and ranked No. 155.
Right up until the cut-off point for selection Knox was staring at Laird or the similar and now Florida-based Scott Jamieson as his partner but bizarrely Jamieson ignored competing in the final qualifying event, the August 30th starting Made in Denmark.
Jamieson had been fourth a week earlier in the Czech Masters to pick-up 22 spots on the Rankings while a similar finish in Denmark or higher would have seen Jamieson jump to 151st and ahead of Laird.
Knox admits he and Laird have grown closer in recent years and the duo have spoke often of teaming later this year ‘Down Under’.
“I spoke to Martin a while back as I wasn’t sure if he wanted to play but he was delighted when I formally reached out to him,” said Knox.
“Martin and I were partners at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans where we teamed to finish seventh and with Martin the next highest on the rankings after me, it was kind of a no brainer that he and I should represent Scotland
“Also making it easier was that the Zurich is virtually the same format as the World Cup.
Scotland’s Martin Laird (Photo @tourmiss)
“But then in saying that there are pretty much no similarities in our games (laughing) as I would say Martin is probably the highest ball hitter on the PGA Tour and he’s right up there with the likes of Jason Day, Jimmy Walker and guys like that whereas I am probably one of the lowest ball hitters currently on the Tour.
“Martin plays everything left-to-right while I play the majority of my shots right-to-left and I am very straight off the tee and he is maybe not as straight, so we compliment each other extremely or we did when we played last in New Orleans.
“So, it will be interesting to see how we go and I respect his game a lot as Martin is very good around the greens while he’s an excellent putter.”
Two years ago, the World Cup was staged on the Kingston Heath course and this year it will be played on another ‘Sandbelt’ gem and the Metropolitan Club that hosted seven Australian Open’s, including Gene Sarazen winning in 1936, Peter Thomson in 1951 and Lee Westwood beating Greg Norman in 1997.
As well, the club has hosted five Australian PGAs, one Australian Masters, the Australian Women’s Open and the 2001 WGC – Match-Play Championship won by American Steve Stricker.
“From what I hear, Metropolitan is a great golf course and while it was fun two years ago to play Kingston Heath, I am looking forward to it as it will be my last event of 2018,” Knox added.
“I’m confident Martin and I can really gel well as we did earlier this year and I think looking now at all the other officially confirmed sides we have a strong team.
“We both haven’t played as well as we have like this season in the U.S. and while I did get hot for two weeks back in Europe, Martin and I know we do team-up well together.
And the host venue – the stunning Metropolitan GC.
“So, it’s going to be an amazing week and looking at our team on paper we are experienced, we know how to win and with Metropolitan being one the ‘Sandbelt’ courses will play very links-like and also now knowing Melbourne it could be windy, it could be hot and it could be cold.
“And having grown-up in Scotland as we have you have to be prepared for all conditions so I can see Martin and I doing really, really well and it would be a great way to end both our year’s delivering victory for Scotland.”
