Knox has hopes for Ryder bid
GOLF:
RUSSELL KNOX admits it would be a “dream come true” to win the Scottish Open and secure back-toback victories on the European Tour.
Six days after beating Ryan Fox in a play-off to win the Irish Open, Knox heads into the final round at Gullane just two shots behind surprise leader Jens Dantorp.
The Swede birdied the last three holes to finish 13 under par and edge ahead of Fox, Rickie Fowler, Matt Fitzpatrick, Scott Hend, Marcel Siem and Alexander Bjork.
England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Aaron Rai share eighth place with Knox on 11 under, with Justin Rose a shot further back.
“Winning your home Open is a massive goal,” said Knox, who was raised in Inverness.
“I watched Rory do it a couple of years ago in Ireland and I remember it well.” Victory at Gullane today would take the Scot’s earnings to more than £2million in the last three weeks and make him a near-certainty for a Ryder Cup debut in September.
“I was very tired on Saturday but slept like a king last night and tomorrow the adrenaline will be pumping,” added the 33-year-old, who was controversially overlooked for a wild card by captain Darren Clarke in 2016.
That was despite being ranked 20th in the world, higher than seven members of the European side which went on to lose at Hazeltine.
Fowler, who won this event the last time it was staged at Gullane in 2015, was one over par after 10 holes of a windswept third round, but birdied the 11th, 15th and 16th to remain firmly in contention.
Robert Rock, who had held a two-shot overnight lead, struggled to a 76 to fall six shots off the pace.