KNOX CUTS A SORRY FIGURE
Russell’s a flop in Florida but Poulter’s feeling fine
RUSSELL KNOX’S wretched run rolled on as he missed the cut for a third time in four events at the Valspar Championship. The Scot bogeyed three of his opening six holes in Florida before doing the same in two of his last three in a round of 74 for two over par. Knox ended his round near lunch sharing 88th place and two shots shy of the projected even-par cut-off mark. It followed missed cuts in the Phoenix Open last month and a fortnight ago in the Honda Classic while he also struggled in last week’s no-cut WGC–Mexico Championship, carding a final-round 81 for his highest score since joining the PGA Tour. That saw him drop to No.21 in the world and forced him outside the top-20 for the first time in six months. Knox said: “I drove the ball poorly and looking back I probably shot what I deserved to shoot. “As for my putting, I probably missed about three putts inside six feet but then I got lucky on eight as I had a horse-shoe there and in went in.” While the Scot faced up to heading back early across the Sunshine State, Ian Poulter continued to benefit from chartering a chopper with Graeme McDowell to play the course last Sunday. The English ace, who sits on three under after a 72, continues to make the most of a ‘Major Medical Exemption’ after missing a big part of late last season with a foot injury.
But while Poulter’s back to full health he revealed longtime caddy Terry Mundy may need to undergo a back operation for a disc concern.
His replacement arguably has better credentials, having caddied for five-time LPGA Major winner and long-time World No. 1 Yani Tseng and carried the bag for another World No. 1 in Kiwi Lydia Ko.
He said: “Terry’s had some disc issues for some time and will see a specialist.
“I’ve got Jason on the bag and he’s a really good friend that I’ve known for a long time. It’s the first I’ve had to call on someone to take Terry’s place.”
Canada’s Adam Hadwin shot a classy 64 to enjoy the early club house lead at 10 under par.
Meanwhile, Scott Henry was among five disqualified from the second round of the rain-affected Hero Indian Open in New Delhi.
After eagling the eighth, Henry bogeyed three holes in succession and was nine-over after 17 holes when thrown out of the event – with no reason appearing on the European Tour website.
Stephen Gallacher is the leading Scot after a 70 and 73 to trail local SSP Chawrasia who leads at five under par.