KNOX WHITTLES UP A NEW CADDY
Knox reunited with Brad for his shot at Sawgrass
RUSSELL KNOX chucked his caddy then turned to a 16-year-old to help get him around Sawgrass yesterday.
But the high school kid’s stint was only for the day as the Scot prepares to tee up in The Players Championship with trusted Brad Whittle on his bag.
The 34-year-old has missed the cut in his last four events having posted a single sub-70 round. However, with a purse of £11.7million on the line this week, Knox enjoyed a lift after being reunited with the caddy he had during his WGC-HSBC Champions and Travelers Championship triumphs in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Englishman David Clark is out and Canadian Whittle is back in – although neither was carrying Knox’s clubs in his final practice outing. Instead, Teddy Sotsky – who attends the local Ponte Vedra High School and is a member of the North Florida Junior Golf Foundation that Knox is ambassador of – had the honour. Knox said: “Brad and I have had some good times together winning twice out here so it’s nice to have a familiar face on the bag. “It just didn’t work out for my previous caddy and
I. It was a business and it just wasn’t working.
“The decision to split was mutual as I wasn’t making him any money but then we are still friends. He’s a great caddy.
“The great thing in having Brad back on the bag is he knows my game so well.
“Coming into a massive week like this week I didn’t want to start completely fresh with someone I don’t know.”
Whittle has been caddying for Luke Donald but the English ace is not in Florida this week.
The bagman said: “Russell and I go back a few years and I was available this week. We’ll just see how the week goes.”
While the teenager on his bag clinched a birdie two at the infamous 17th age nine, Knox carded a nine on it in 2016 after plunging three tee shots into the water.
But he said: “I played 71 holes good enough to win in 2016. I know I can do well as the course is right up my alley.”
Martin Laird, the only other Scot in the field, has missed the cut in three of his last four visits.
But he arrives after a tied sixth at the Puerto Rico Open and said: “While I didn’t get it done there, it was just nice to be giving myself opportunities.”
All eyes will be on a super group starring the world’s top three as Rory McIlroy plays the first two rounds with Jon Rahm plus Brooks Koepka.
Any one of the three could be world No.1 on Sunday and defending champion McIlroy said: “It is going to be a lot of fun.”
Spaniard Rahm led after 54 holes last year before a finalday 76 saw him finish tied 12th.
He said: “I might have something to prove besides just good golf. Being No.1 is a goal but I’m here to win tournaments.”