Victory puts Knox in line for Ryder Cup spot
RUSSELL Knox sank a 12foot par putt at the final hole to win the Travelers Championship in Connecticut by one shot on Sunday, moving the Scot into contention for a place on the European team at next month’s Ryder Cup.
Knox is a dual British and US citizen and although he carries two passports, the 31-year-old left no doubt where his loyalties lie after carding a 68 to finish at 14-under-par 266 at River Highlands in Cromwell.
“My dad was born in California so I have dual nationality.
“I’m not sure there’s ever been someone in my position before, but I’m Scottish down to the core so I’ll be on team Europe, hopefully,” said the Inverness-born Knox.
Knox claimed the title after getting up-and-down from a greenside bunker on the final hole to edge out American veteran Jerry Kelly, who signed for a 64 then watched the action unfold on TV in the scoring trailer.
An ecstatic Knox tossed his cap across the green when the winning putt dropped as his Canadian caddie, Bradley Whittle, celebrated a second victory at the event previously known as the Greater Hartford Open, having worked for 1994 winner David Frost.
“I said to my caddie, Bradley, ‘it’s never easy’. That putt, I’ll remember that one forever,” Knox said, before turning his thoughts to the Ryder Cup.
The win lifts Knox inside the top 20 in the world rankings.
It offers another reminder of his talent to Europe’s captain Darren Clarke before the biennial event against the US in Minnesota at the end of September. Only five European players are ahead of Knox on the world rankings – Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Danny Willett, Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose.
Even if Knox is not among the nine players to make the team automatically, he will be in line for one of Clarke’s three captain’s picks.
“I thought about it (Ryder Cup) on the last tee, to be honest,” Knox said.
“I knew by winning this tournament, it puts Darren Clarke in a very difficult position not to pick me, but it’s his decision. He can pick whoever he wants.
“If I make the top nine I deserve to be on the team. If I’m No 10 he can quite happily pass on me, and that’s just the way it is.
“I hope I’m on the team. I’d love to be there. It would be a huge honour. Holing nice putts like that obviously helps.”
It was the second PGA Tour victory for Knox, who broke through by winning the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai in November. – Reuters