IRISH JOY FOR KNOX AFTER DRAMATIC PLAY-OFF WIN
Russell drains identical putts on 18th to seal play-off victory
RUSSELL KNOX stormed into Ryder Cup contention and also burst back into the world’s top 50 with a stunning play-off triumph at the Irish Open.
The Inverness ace first grabbed the 14-under-par clubhouse lead with a round of 66 before being joined by big-hitting Kiwi Ryan Fox, who posted a 68.
Knox holed from 40 feet for birdie across the 18th green in regulation to join Fox on 14 under par, the New Zealander then missing from eight feet for a birdie of his own at the last.
And when the players returned to the 18th for a sudden-death play-off the situation was repeated, Knox holing from almost exactly the same place for birdie before Fox saw his attempt from close range catch the edge of the hole and spin out.
The win – Knox’s seventh success as a pro – lifts him to 43rd in the world rankings and has seen him jump to fifth on the Race to Dubai as well as collecting a cheque for £900,000.
It is the first time Knox has been in the world’s top 50 since August 2017, having dropped as low at 137th in May this year.
He said: “The putts have been going in these last couple of weeks and I just had a great feeling on the greens. I wasn’t really aiming but just reacting to the line of the putt. I just kept going and going and this is unbelievable.
“It’s tough to describe how amazing this feels. I can’t believe I’m holding this trophy.
“After I made eagle on the fourth I knew I was in it.”
Knox’s success, only a second Irish win by a Scot since Colin Montgomerie’s triumph in 1991, also comes after he posted a 65 a week ago to finish joint runner-up in the French Open.
And he heads to this week’s Scottish Open ready to kick down the Gullane victory door ahead of teeing-up for The Open a week later at Carnoustie.
Knox said: “Right now I’m enjoying winning this trophy and if I struggle the next two weeks I’m still going to enjoy this moment. I’m not being greedy right now but you never know.
“I would love to win the Scottish Open as well and for me to be playing The Open at Carnoustie, one of the best courses in the world, I’m very happy. I might as well try to win there.”
Spain’s Jorge Campillo finished a shot outside the play-off after a brilliant final round of 65, with defending champion Jon Rahm another stroke back following a 66. Tournament host Rory McIlroy carded a closing 71 to finish two under par overall.