Russell Knox admitted it was a first in his pro career having taken three days from the end of his first round to complete his second round mid-Sunday at the severely weather-affected Players Championship in Florida.
Knox had been out first from the 10th tee on Thursday morning in posting a one-under-par 71 and before thunderstorms and then strong, cold winds played havoc for the next two-and-a-half days in the Tour’s flagship event at TPC Sawgrass at Ponte Vedra.
The Knox’s – Andrea, Russell and Rusty
The Scot, who lives close by in Jacksonville, spent Friday and much of Saturday, rugged up and on the lounge with dog Rusty watching TV, before the start of his second round at 5.45 pm Saturday (local time).
Knox had only managed, and fortunately, just a handful of holes in the strong winds when the siren sounded ahead of arriving back to the course early Sunday in continuing cold but less windy conditions, and signing for a second straight 71 for a two-under total, and just outside the top-20.
In fact, after completing his first round at around 12.30 pm local time Thursday, Knox ended his second round around the same time Sunday.
Knox said: “It’s been a very long and weird week, finding myself at home all day Friday and the better part of Saturday, just keeping warm and hanging out with our dog on the couch, watching TV (smiling).
“I did get a text from the Tour early on Saturday saying I would be out late yesterday (Sat), so at least I managed to get in a few holes, and then came back here early this morning (Sun) to finish off my round.
“I knew after being out first on Friday, and then given the suspensions to play, I would be in for a long break between rounds but this week is definitely the longest wait in my career between playing the first-round and ending a second round.
“The game is pretty good and two-under is pretty well placed, and with no-one really getting away from a packed field”.
Fellow Scot Martin Laird was in a similar situation as Knox, and started his second round at 5.43 pm local time Saturday but crashed out with a 78 with a six-over tally.
The American duo of Sam Burns (69) and Tom Hoge (71) share the lead on seven-under-par and with former champ Rory McIlroy, and after a pair of 73s, making the two-over cut right on the mark.
The poor weather means a Monday finish to the $20m event.
