Knox spearheads Scottish revival with Irish triumph
QUEStIon anyone with a vested interest on the lamentable state of Scottish golf, and it produces one of those arm-wringing, sofa-squirming responses that make you feel sorry you asked.
It was at the Scottish open last year that the nation that gave the sport to the world suffered another wretched indignity, when Richie Ramsay proved the best-placed finisher in a less than headlinemaking 35th place.
Earlier this season, we had the pathetic case of not a single Scot in the world’s top 100, combined with the jaw- dropping fact that not a single player from Scotland to emerge in the last decade had progressed even to the point of retaining his European tour card. talk about plumbing the depths. as we look forward to a wonderful fortnight of links golf north of the border, however, are we seeing the first signs of a welcome revival?
leading the way, of course, is new Irish open champion Russell Knox, who has fought back so admirably from his own problems last year, and the bitter disappointment of being overlooked for Europe’s Ryder Cup team, to stake a claim for Paris in September.
Connor Syme, 22, runner-up at the Shot Clock masters in austria last month, ought to keep his tour privileges this season and end that horrendous stat regarding such matters, while 19-year-old Scottish amateur champion Sam locke will be at the open at Carnoustie next week after finishing first in the final qualifier at the Renaissance Club a week ago.
Paul lawrie, who claimed the Claret Jug at Carnoustie in 1999, believes Knox’s return to form is exactly what the Scottish game needs.
‘I don’t think any of the Scottish players on tour would argue with me when I say they’ve been badly underachieving but what Russell has done will hopefully act as the spur,’ he said.
‘you need role models to drive you on. I remember when I was coming through I always wanted to beat monty (Colin montgomerie). We’ve seen that in England, where they are all pushing one another.’
on to the Scottish open at Gullane this week then, where Knox will undoubtedly be the man of the hour, but hopefully there will be one or two more of his countrymen looking on and thinking: I want a piece of that.