A debut to remember for HSBC winner Knox
SHANGHAI— Russell Knox raised both arms in the air, closed his eyes and tilted his head toward the heavens as if he couldn’t believe what he had just done.
Dating to when the World Golf Championship began in 1999, no one had ever won in his debut. Knox wasn’t even eligible for the HSBC Champions until he got in 10 days ago as an alternate, and then it was a mad scramble in Malaysia to get a Chinese visa in time to play.
Walking out of the Sheshan International clubhouse on Sunday with a share of the 54-hole lead, Knox noticed a billboard with names and images of past winners at the HSBC Champions — Phil Mickelson and Martin Kaymer, Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson.
“Everyone who wins this tournament is a superstar,” Knox said. “I knew this would be the hardest day in my life.”
For a 30-year-old from Scotland who had never won in 92 previous tries on the PGA Tour, Knox made it look like a breeze. He broke out of a five-way tie for the lead with two quick birdies to start the back nine and was flawless the rest of the way for a 4-under 68 and a two-shot victory over Kevin Kisner.
“I always thought I was going to win a big one for my first one,” he said. “But this is going to take a long time to sink in.”
Knox finished at 20-under 268 and earned $1.4 million (U.S.), along with perks that include his first trip to the Masters in April.
“I got married on Saturday of the Masters,” he said. “What a great wedding anniversary we’re going to have.”
Roberto Castro finished just six holes Sunday at a soggy Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Miss.
The way things were going, that wasn’t such a bad thing.
Castro clung to a one-stroke lead at the Country Club of Jackson after playing the first six holes in the suspended third round in 2-over par.
Play was suspended Sunday because of darkness and will resume Monday morning with the final round following immediately. Castro said he was prepared for the grind.
“Just grab your lunch at the turn and keep going,” the 30-year-old Castro said. “If you get on a good run, just ride it as long as you can.” Graham DeLaet and Adam Hadwin were the top Canadians at eight-under, tied for 22nd. Nick Taylor was another shot back.