KNOX OFFICE

FLEETWOOD

The 33-year-old finds himself a lone Scot teeing up in the 100th staging of the tournament.

The Inverness-born player is brimming with confidence following his Irish Open triumph and a week after finishing runner-up at Le National.

Knox is 10th overall in the Ryder Cup points race and right on the bubble for selection, despite losing ninth place to Dane Thorbjorn Olesen who finished joint third last week in Ohio.

On Monday, European captain Thomas Bjorn declared he is going to go with what he thinks is “the 12 best players to do the job”.

Knox watched his press conference from a St Louis hotel room and insists he knows what he needs to do be on the plane to Paris. He said: “The way I see it there is five guys ahead of me on the points table that are one week away from being right in the mix of selection.

“I also look at it as there is one wildcard pick up for grabs and if Ian Poulter doesn’t qualify he’ll get a pick then there’s Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia – how can Thomas not pick them?

“So there’s one spot and something like 10 guys and if someone has a massive week they could find their way into the team.

“I’m in control of my own destiny and that’s how I’d want it to be so if I have a massive week then I’m going to be very close.”

In contrast to the sun-burnt, rock-hard Carnoustie fairways, Bellerive has presented a rain-softened, lush-green course for the 100th PGA.

Knox said: “Compared to