Homecoming a joy for Russell

IT HAS taken seven years as a professional for Russell Knox to get his way back home but now the Inverness-born, US-based PGATour player is here, it’s “absolutely perfect”, writes Steve Scott.

Knox has established himself in the US since attending college there and made his breakthrough this year with a succession of good performances, including being edged in a play- off in the Honda Classic in March.

That’s given the 29-yearold the freedom at last to switch his schedule and come home although he has some pangs of guilt that it’s a year too late.

“I’m kind of mad at myself that I haven’t come home more often, especially the last couple years, with this being at Castle Stuart, right next to where I lived,” he said.

“I just haven’t played well enough to justify missing a couple tournaments in the US, whereas this year I’ve rewarded myself with good play to come here and this is definitely going to be the highlight of my whole year.”

While he’s domiciled in the USA and plans to stay there, he remains “100%” Scottish.

“I miss the bacon rolls, I miss prawn cocktail crisps,” he said. “I love links golf and I never changed my style much in the States, I still like to hit a low ball and use the ground as I did growing up

“I was better at football growing up but I finished well in the Scottish Strokeplay here in 2005 and that’s when I thought, maybe I am pretty good at this game.”

Knox had been a youth player with Inverness Caley Thistle and, although he still follows Aberdeen, golf is his game now.

“RoyalAberdeen is flawless,” he said. “Today was as good a day as you could ever hope for and it’s great to be back playing links golf.

“The course is very tight. Length isn’t too much of an issue but you’ve got to hit it between the high grass, that’s for sure.

“I always just go for top 25. If you can get in the top 25, you’ve played nice golf so I kind of strive for that.

“If something else happens and you can move up, then great.”

Picture: SNS Group. Russell Knox.