The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Frustration is mixed with consolation as Knox heads for Open
Scotland’s Russell Knox had the consolation of booking his place at the Open Championship at Carnoustie after coming up just short yesterday at the HNA Open de France.
Knox carded a final round 65 to finish just one behind Sweden’s Alex Noren, who claimed the title with a 67 after birdies at the 16th and 17th.
Knox, England’s Chris Wood and American Julian Suri, whose double bogey at the 18th brought his challenge to a disappointing conclusion, finished in a tie for second place on six under.
There was heartache too for 21-year-old Marcus Kinhult, who had taken a two-shot lead into the fourth round Le Golf National in Paris, the host venue for this year’s Ryder Cup.
He carded a 76 which included a seven on the par-four fourth and a six at the 15th to finish in a share of fifth place.
Englishman Matthew Southgate’s 65, including seven birdies, saw him join Kinhult and Spain’s John Rahm on five-under, but Sergio Garcia’s challenge faded courtesy of a three-over-par 74.
If Knox, Suri and Kinhult missed out on the big prize, they were at least able to console themselves with qualification for the Open later this month.
Going into yesterday’s final round, Noren found himself seven shots off the lead, but his 67 set a target of seven-under-par which ultimately proved beyond the field.
That completed a 10-under-par weekend for Noren, who saw Suri’s challenge dissolve when he found water with his second at the 18th and emerged with a double-bogey six.
He told Sky Sports: “On a course like this, anything can happen and I was just trying to get to six, seven, eight under. I thought that could get you into a play-off.
“The feeling of the birdie on 17, I really wanted that. You always want that and finally, I made one of those when it really matters.
“It’s unbelievable. I never thought I was going to win. It’s a tricky golf course.
“The first two days were really tough for me and I played a lot better on the weekend.
“It’s not the way you want to see your opponent come in, but we all fight our there and sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. I feel very happy right now.”
Noren’s second Rolex Series title could hardly be better timed.
He said: “The Open has been the best major for me result-wise. I’m going to have a week and a half of good practice and see what I can do.”
The R&A confirmed that American Ryan Moore will replace the injured Paul Lawrie – the winner the last time the Open was staged at Carnoustie in 1999 – when the championship returns to the Angus links later this month.