SCOTLAND’S Russell Knox is hoping to benefit from second-time lucky syndrome at the Masters this week.
The past two winners of the Green Jacket had competed only once before at Augusta National. Jordan Spieth had finished runner-up in 2014 before winning a year later, while Danny Willett shared 38th place in 2015
before seizing his opportunity.
This will be Knox’s second appearance in the Masters after marking his debut with disappointing rounds of 79 and 73. Standing in front of the Augusta clubhouse, Knox said: “Yes, I was aware it was Jordan’s and Danny’s second Masters when they each won. I like it here, so you never know ...”
At that point, Spieth walking by, overhearing the conversation, remarked: “You never know, you never know.”
Knox responded: “You have to beat this guy. I know I’ve got the game and I was happy with the way I played here last year from tee to green. If I had a few putting days like he [Spieth] had, then I’d have been in contention instead of missing the cut.”
Missing the cut has sadly been an all-too regular occurrence for Scotland’s top-ranked golfer, with three of his past five events ending before the weekend, something that has not happened since mid-2015.
Knox knows how to win, having captured the WGC-HSBC Champions and last year’s Travellers Championship, so the next stage of his career is to begin challenging in the majors, albeit this week is only his ninth.
“First of all was getting to play in all the majors which was great,” he said.
“My best finish is 22nd in the PGA last year so I have got to beat that. I would like to say I am coming here to contend and I am capable of doing that. But I need to beat 22nd.
“And I need to be up there in the top 10. Of course, I would love to be in contention but I have got to make the cut here, play all four days, chip away at it, and hopefully have my best finish.”
The Scot’s caddy, Brad Whittle, has more experience at Augusta than Knox, having carried eight times for Australian Wayne Grady. Knox will draw heavily on his knowledge.
“I haven’t figured the majors out yet,” said Knox, who will tee off in the company of Rickie Fowler and Hideki Matsuyama. “Clearly, if something amazing were to happen this week it is life-changing but you can’t almost try to win. When I won in China, of course you are trying to win but you just have to try to relax and enjoy it and play as well as you can.
In contrast to Knox, his compatriot Sandy Lyle will be making his 36th appearance. He will be playing with American Sean O’Hair and reigning British Amateur champion, Scott Gregory.
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