Russell Knox success makes old team-mate

Duncan Stewart yearn for return to

Florida, but no money, no sponsor

 By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Together they put Jacksonville University, Florida on the college golfing map but now Duncan Stewart, pictured, from Grantown-on-Spey and Russell Knox from Inverness are enduring frustration as they pursue professional golfing careers on opposite sides of the Atlantic.
Russell, who stayed on at Jacksonville Beach after his four years as a student, is making a good living as one of the most successful competitors on the NGA Hooters Tour, one of the biggest satellite circuits in America .
But Knox really wants to be on the US PGA Tour and his recent fourth attempt to get to the Final Qualifying School ended in failure. His frustration is such that he is seriously considering trying to get through the European Tour Q School qualifying system next year, despite all the transatlantic trips that would entail, first to the UK , and then hopefully to Stage 2 and the Final Stage in Spain .
Duncan Stewart, now 26, follows his old sparring partner’s fortunes from affair.
“Russ is doing really well over there. I think he could get a few more starts on the Nationwide Tour (the No 2 pro circuit in the US ), then he could at least get his card on there,” says Duncan .
“He definitely has the game to compete at a higher level than he’s in at the moment.”
In a perfect world, Stewart would head back to Florida where he had four successful years playing for Jacksonville University on the college circuit.
“I would love to go back out to the States but it all comes down to having the money, which I don’t. I’ve been trying to save as much cash as possible to finance my golf next season because I don’t have a sponsor.
“I shall probably play on the EuroPro Tour and try to get as many starts as possible on the Challenge Tour. I just have to keep playing and hope the big break will come along.
“I took eight months off last winter without even picking up a golf club. I felt I needed a break away from the game.”