OPPORTUNITY KNOX AT BALLYLIFFIN FOR SCOT
RUSSELL KNOX set his sights on Open glory after defeating Kiwi Ryan Fox in a play-off to win the Irish Open at Ballyliffin yesterday.
“It’s tough to describe how amazing this feels,” Scot Knox said after a closing 66. “For me to be playing in the Open at Carnoustie, one of the best courses in the world, I’m very happy. I might as well go try and win there.”
I was swinging well and just had a calm, comfortable feeling.
“I had a nice flow to my game on the back nine. I just put my head down. I knew I was close and had to birdie the 18th and obviously the putt was amazing.”
After such a massive week, does the Inverness golfer – who was No18 in the world 20 months ago – fancy a late push for Ryder Cup inclusion?
“It’s still a long way away,” he said. “I need to play my best and if I’m one of those top 12 guys come the end of qualification, I’d love to be there.”
The unfortunate Fox had looked nailed on victory for when he strode on to the 18th green at the first time of asking.
But he missed a 10-footer on the high side and lipped out in the play-off after Knox’s long distance dramatics.
One consolation for the New Zealander was securing a qualifying berth for this month’s Open at Carnoustie alongside Zander Lombard and Andy Sullivan.
Knox said: “For his putt in the play-off to lip out was just bad luck but his time will come.”