Knox knows who he has to answer to
THEY say behind every good man is a good woman.
That much has been true in Russell Knox’s rise towards the top of golf.
The 32-year-old from Inverness married Andrea Hernandez three years ago.
They met in Florida, where he was a fledgling pro, she a fullypaid-up member of the Women’s Tennis Association.
Andrea’s experiences of the professional tennis circuit have stood Knox in good stead.
“From being involved in professional sport herself, Andrea understands the whole job,” said Knox.
“She gets on to me a lot. Do I listen? Not enough!
“At times, she can be very tough on me if she does not think I am practising hard enough or concentrating on my game.
“But there are also times when she is very encouraging if I’m not playing very well.
“She’ll know I’m trying and that I’m putting my time in on and off the course.”
Back on home soil for the Scottish Open and then the big one itself, Knox had an indifferent start on Thursday and admitted he’s struggling with his game.
“My form is a bit mystifying because I have been doing all the same things, and using the same equipment, save for maybe changing the putter now and then that virtually everyone does,” said Russell.
“But for whatever reasons – a couple of loose shots a round, maybe a bad break now and then and not taking my chances – it has been a weird, weird, stretch.
“It is a while since I have signed for a round where I felt I really got the maximum return for the way I had played.
“Thursday was typical in that when I sat down and analysed my card, there were four glaring shots I threw away that could easily have been avoided.
“When you are throwing shots away like that, instead of being in contention, you are struggling to make the cut and it becomes a whole different ball game.”
At least he has his wife to fall back on.
“Andrea knows that golf is a weird game and sometimes it just punches you in the face,” he said.
“I feel I’m in one of these moments right now.
“But she knows the down times from her own experiences, so she is a great encouragement, and has been a great help to my whole career.”
One piece of his wife’s advice Knox has not acted upon is to spend more time in the gym.
“Tennis players have to be much more physically fit than golfers, and Andrea feels I have to be doing a bit more than I have done,” he revealed.
“One of these days, I’ll probably start listening to her!
“I think going to the gym can help your golf game in certain areas, of course it can.
“You become more flexible and stronger in areas that help you to maybe generate a little more speed and so on.
“But do I think it will significantly help my performance – no. And there will be people who disagree with me on that.
“But working out is not going to help you when you are standing over a 10-foot putt or playing out of a bunker.
“I think there is a fine line between keeping your golf game fit and healthy and trying to be healthy and fit as a person.
“There are areas of the body that golfers need to strengthen, but I think some people overdo it.
“I’m not at my sharpest right now, but I’m sure me and Andrea will find the answer.”