FORT

IRISH Open champion Russell Knox is counting a small fortune this morning after hitting the jackpot - not once but twice – on Ballyliffin’s 18th green.

A 35ft putt at the final hole on the Glashedy Links earned him a play-off against New Zealand’s Ryan Fox while a second bomb from the same distance sealed the deal in the shootout.

Two bolts of lightning hitting the same spot on the same day? The fist-pumping Scot could scarcely believe his luck after picking up the Rolex Series title win and €998,425 winner’s cheque.

Added to the €451,260 he pocketed for a T2 at last week’s French Open, Knox’s bank balance is virtually

€1.5m better off than it was nine days ago.

The World No87, who started the day six shots off the lead, said: “That’s why you play golf, to hole a putt like that on the last hole. To make it twice is a dream.

“It’s so hard to win tournaments, so the way I managed it, holing those two long putts, it’s the best feeling in the world.”

South African Erik Van Rooyen had held a four-shot cushion heading into the final round but four bogeys saw him tumble down the leaderboard.

He eventually finished T4 with defending champion Jon Rahm who shot an impressive 66 that included five birdies in the last six holes.

Jorge Campillo made the biggest move of the day with a seven-under par round but the Spaniard fell one short of Knox and Fox who were locked on 14-under after 72 holes.

Knox, who shot five birdies and an eagle at the par-five fourth, said: “I knew after the eagle I had a chance.