Sentimental Knox is glad to be home

AFTER his transatlantic flight touched down on Scottish soil yesterday morning, Russell Knox puffed out his chest and inhaled, allowing the chilly air to pierce his nostrils and fill his lungs.

He could almost smell his childhood memories, like scoring a left-footed screamer for his school team at the Inverness Caledonian Stadium. Home comforts, like his affinity for prawn cocktail crisps, were readily available once again.

Knox, currently the world No 26 and Scotland’s leading golfer by a considerable distance, was in typically jovial mood. Yet the sincerity in his voice was unmistakeable as he compared his homecoming at the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart to making his Masters debut at Augusta in April.

‘One of my first memories when I arrived was scoring a great left-footer for Charleston Academy at the Caley stadium,’ said the 31-year-old.

‘I’ll always remember that goal. I’m right-footed but the ball came in to my left, so I just wellied it and it went into the top corner.

‘I’ve played the Scottish Open the last couple of years (at Royal Aberdeen and Gullane), but this will be my debut at Castle Stuart. Honestly, I’ve looked forward to this moment for probably around four or five years.

‘Playing at Augusta was great and, if I had to choose between the two, I would maybe just take the Green Jacket. But winning the Scottish in Inverness would be a close second.

‘Living in America now, I miss things like prawn cocktail crisps. Dairy Milks, too. You get them in the States but they are just not as good, for some reason. American chocolate is terrible.

‘But I do love life over there. I got married a couple of years ago, we have moved into a new house and there’s absolutely no doubt I would not be where I am now in terms of my golf had I not moved to the US.’

Knox (right) has only played Castle Stuart twice previously, both in bounce games. Tomorrow will mark his competitive debut and, for what he might lack in knowledge of the course, he will certainly make up in support from the galleries.

He is a former club champion at Nairn Dunbar, the course he played as an amateur, prior to beginning a golf scholarship at Jacksonville University. He still lives in Jacksonville, but is set to receive an honorary membership from Inverness Golf Club tonight as a tribute to his stunning rise to prominence.

Just three years ago, Knox was splitting his time between the Web.Com and PGA Tours, scrapping to make a living in the game he loves. He earned full playing rights at the end of 2013 and hasn’t looked back since, with his most notable triumph coming in the WGC Champions event in November 2015.

‘I’m hoping to see some old faces I haven’t seen in a long time,’ he added. ‘My parents will be here, as will my sister (Clyde 1 DJ Diane). I’m staying at a friend’s house for the week with his parents … so that’s me got at least five or six fans for the week!

‘My dad is playing in a tournament at Inverness this week, which I’m told he has a chance of doing well in. He’s about an eight-handicapper. So it would be great if there was a double celebration on Sunday.

‘It will be great. This is what I’ve wanted to do since I was a young boy. I remember watching Monty (Colin Montgomerie) win titles and Paul Lawrie win The Open at Carnoustie. Those two were massive for me. Monty was the man. I never got his autograph, but I’d like to have it.’

On the prospect of qualifying for Darren Clarke’s European Ryder Cup team at Hazeltine in September, Knox admitted: ‘I have to earn it. I’ve possibly been thinking about it too much. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If I play well over these next few weeks, I can play my way on to

the team.’