The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Scot predicts US Open ‘carnage’
Knox safely in clubhouse as tough conditions see scores soar on first day
Scotland’s Russell Knox settled down to watch the “carnage” unfold at the US Open after a promising opening round at Shinnecock Hills.
Three birdies in his first five holes gave Knox a share of the early lead in tough, windy conditions and although he eventually had to settle for a round of 73, that was good enough to lie just four shots off the clubhouse lead held by Ian Poulter and Scott Piercy.
Fellow Scot Calum Hill finished with a 75 after a fine start, including an eagle at the fifth, saw him share the lead.
“I got off to a flyer which was great but it was tough,” Knox, the Florida-based 32-year-old, said.
“I was saying to my caddie with a couple of holes to go that it’s so tough to even hit a green with a nine iron in your hand. You have to embrace it and some do more than others. I enjoy it, though, and obviously grew up playing in much worse.
“The ball was going nowhere into the wind and then miles downwind, so it was just a true test. I’m looking forward to watching the carnage on TV this afternoon.”
“I did notice my name on the leaderboard at one point and have to admit I felt a little tingle,” added Knox.
“It’s nice to birdie the first and get out of the gates with some beautiful iron shots.
“You feel you have a chance to hang on. If you get behind early, you could feel like you could shoot a million.”
Knox was 20th in the world when he was overlooked for a Ryder Cup wild card in 2016, but has failed to win since and started the week 145th in the rankings.
“People keep telling me I am close and I keep shouting at them I am not close – it’s there!” Knox added.
“Maybe it’s just been one element of the game that hasn’t been the greatest here or there, but I have been flushing it the last few weeks so I just need to keep executing.”
Former British Amateur champion Scott Gregory may have stumbled to the worst score in the US Open for 16 years, but will always have one happy memory from Shinnecock Hills.
Gregory, who qualified at Walton Heath, returned a 22-over-par round of 92 yesterday, the first score in the 90s since Felix Casas shot 92 at Bethpage in 2002.
He secured a berth in the Masters and US Open last year after winning the British Amateur title in 2016 and also received an invite to the Memorial Tournament, where he had hoped to meet Tiger Woods.
However, with Woods not competing due to injury, the 23-year-old had to wait until this week to secure a treasured memento.
“I’ve been waiting for that picture for about 15 years,” Gregory said. “It was great to finally meet him.”