SCOT SCORES BIGGEST SUCCESS OF PRO GOLF CAREER

Russell Knox wins HSBC Champions title

to collect 1,264,450 euros

 

Inverness-born, Florida-based Russell Knox claimed the biggest win of his pro golf career, worth 1,264,450 euros and a lot more in prestige value, after a dramatic final day of the World Golf Championships - HSBC Champions.
The Scot, who was at the course at 7.45am to complete his second round with a birdie, came into the final round in a share of the lead and a closing 68 around Sheshan International Golf Club took him to a 20 under par total of 268 and a two-shot victory from long-time leader, American Kevin Kisner.
In his final round, Knox kept his cool to birdie the second, third, short sixth, 10th, 11th and 16th in halves of 35-33. He bogeyed the short fourth  and ninth.
England's Willett surged up the leaderboard into a share of third in stunning fashion early in the day, posting ten birdies in an unblemished 62 which proved to be the round of the week and moved him closer to Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy.
Knox becomes the first Scot to win a WGC event. He held his nerve on the back nine, opening a two shot lead with birdies on the tenth and 11th before a sixth birdie of the day on the 16th calmed any nerves.
For Kisner, it was another second-placed finish for the man who has been beaten in three play-offs on the US PGA Tour in 2015.
Ross Fisher was alongside Willett at 17 under after a closing 68 with Branden Grace and Dustin Johnson a further shot back.
Matthew Fitzpatrick, local favourite Li Haotong, Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth were then at 15 under, with McIlroy in the group of six players another shot behind.
Knox (with Duncan Stewart) left Scotland originally to spend four years at Jacksonville University, Florida where they were the stars of the successful college team.
When they graduated in 2007, Stewart came home (he's competing at the European Tour School Stage 2 in Spain at the moment),   but Knox stayed on in the States at Jacksonville where he turned professional and worked his way up through the mini tours to the US PGA Tour.
Knox became the first player to win a World Golf Championship in his debut when the 30-year-old  was flawless under pressure on the back nine of Sheshan International
Russell only found out a week ago Friday that he was in the HSBC Champions field, called up from the reserve list when J.B. Holmes withdrew. 
Knox was in Malaysia and had to scramble to get a Chinese visa, arriving in time for one practice round with his Mexican-born wife, Andrea (Hernandez), a former tennis pro, as his caddie.
Then, he held off a world-class field for his first US PGA Tour victory.

"I always thought I was going to win a big one for my first one," Knox said. "This is going to take a long time to sink in

“It’s incredible. I always hoped it (a win) was going to happen but you're just never sure. There’s just so many unbelievable players on tours all around the world and to win on this stage is a dream come true. I still can’t quite believe it.

“Deep down in my bones I felt I was capable of winning. I thought it was going to be maybe another year, but I’m glad it happened now.
 "Winning at any level is the hardest thing you can do, and especially because I've never won a big one like this. It was tough but I just kept holing putts, and golf is so much easier when that happens."
Knox earned $1.4 million, along with perks that include his first trip to the Masters in April.
''I got married on Saturday of the Masters,'' he said. ''What a great wedding anniversary we're going to have.''

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