Knox rested and ready for championship challenge

Russell Knox is strangely relieved he didn’t go backto-back at the Scottish Open – because it brings him back down to earth for the Open.

The Irish Open champion was two off the lead going into the final round at Gullane but a double-bogey six to start knocked him back and eventually he came in with five-over 75 to end his remarkable run of scoring.

“Maybe I’m actually delighted I played terrible on Sunday,” he said, only half-jokingly. “It knocks me down to reality to be honest. Now I can really hit the reset button and get on with it next week.

“Best thing was that Sunday took nothing out of me, playing that bad. So I can just rest up the next couple of days and recharge for Carnoustie.”

Knox’s main goal is his highest ever major championship finish – beating the tie for 12th he had at last month’s US Open – and if that happens, the rest will take care of itself.

“I haven’t played Carnoustie in at least 15 years – probably more,” said the Inverness-born, Florida-based Scot, now up to fifth in the Race to Dubai and just inside the world’s top 50. “It has been a long time but I’m sure once I get on to the ground it will all come back to me.

“I’ll maybe do something on Tuesday and Wednesday, but it will be very light, because I’m links golf ready. France was almost linksy at times, and then obviously I’ve had the last two weeks in Ireland and Gullane. I’m seeing the shots, I’m obviously playing fine.”