On-form Knox sets his course for glory in US Open
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
AN Inverness golfer has qualified for the US Open and believes he can go all the way and win it.
Russell Knox, (27), of Westhill, produced the finest form of his season as joint winner in a sectional qualification tournament in Maryland, with scores of 65 and 67 for a two round total of 132, to gain entry to his first major championship next week.
The former Culloden Academy pupil said: "I have been close in the past for the US open and the Open, so to finally qualify for my first major championship feels great.
"Of course I would love to play a great game at the US Open. Can I win? Yes. I'm also realistic and I know it's going to be a little different to what I'm used to.
"However if I can stick to my game and focus out the distractions I think I could do well.
"It's been a strange season so far. I've played well at times and scored poorly at other times. I feel like my game has improved, but just haven't shown the results quite yet. I'm hoping this will help kick-start my season."
Knox who is ranked 392nd in the world, and who now lives in Jacksonville, Florida, turned pro in 2007.
He played mini-tour golf for three years, one year on the Web.com Tour and last year was his rookie year on the PGA tour. After finishing 143rd in the money list in 2012, Knox has conditional status on the PGA Tour this year. It means he is also playing on the Web.com Tour, where he recorded a 12th-placed finish at the Mexican championship.
Knox's biggest win to date was the Chiquita Classic in 2011.
Knox said although living in the States allows him to fulfill his golfing career, he still yearns for his home city as well as the odd Scottish snack.
He added: "I love living in the US. It's tough to beat the fantastic weather, but I do miss Inverness and Scotland in general.
"I need to come home and visit more but it's difficult with my schedule. I really miss prawn cocktail flavoured crisps – you don't get those in the States.
"I don't have any immediate plans to return to Inverness but I do look forward to a trip sometime in the next year or two."
Knox has had a difficult season on the PGA Tour where his best finish was a tie for 28th place at the AT&T Pebble Beach National pro-am in February.
He added: "Golf is my life and has been for a while now. I have completely dedicated my life to becoming a PGA tour pro. I eat sleep and breathe golf. I practice hard, work out and work with a full-time coach trying to improve.
"I love it all."
Knox's success takes the number of Scots who will be competing at the US Open to four.
Chris Doak qualified last week at Wentworth, while Paul Lawrie and Martin Laird will also be among the international field at the Merion Golf Club, Philadelphia on Thursday.
