Russell Knox Continues Trend of First Time Winners in China
- Dan Hauser
- 8 Nov, 2015
This time last week, Russell Knox was making a mad dash to get to China to play in the WGC-HSBC Champions. After all, it was only 10 days ago that the Jacksonville University grad found out that he was even eligible to play in the event (as an alternate, he got in once J.B. Holmes withdrew). He scrambled to get his Chinese visa and only played one practice round with his wife on the bag while his caddie was working on his own visa issues.
None of that seemed to matter on Sunday though as Knox raised his hands triumphantly to the sky as his par putt on the 72nd hole dropped and his maiden PGA tour victory was secured.
“I always thought I was going to win a big one for my first one,” he said. “But this is going to take a long time to sink in.”
The win had been a longtime coming for Knox. It took him five years just to make the PGA Tour. Then, 93 starts for him to finally get his first win. Before this week, his only real shot at a win on tour came at the 2014 Honda Classic when he was part of the four man playoff with Rory Mcllroy and Rusell Henley that was ultimately won by Henley. This tournament though, will always hold a special place in Knox’s heart as his maiden win.
”This is now my favorite tournament,” Knox said. ”I look forward to playing it for many years to come.”
Knox’s win came by two shots, holding off Kevin Kisner, Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, and a slew of other with his consistent play and strong iron game all week. On Sunday, every time it seemed like one of the aforementioned names would get close, Knox would hit a big shot or sink a clutch putt to keep his lead.
For Knox, the win puts him in the same category as the likes of Johnson, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Bubba Watson as World Golf Championship winners. Knox, however, did something Sunday that none of those guys have ever done. Knox became the first golfer in the history of the WGC events to win a WGC in his first time playing one of the events.
”Everyone who wins this tournament is a superstar,” Knox said. ”I knew this would be the hardest day in my life.”
The win sends Knox to his first Hyundai Tournament of Champions, as well as his first Masters. The Masters, if not already special enough, holds an even more significant meaning to Knox.
”I got married on Saturday of the Masters,” he said. ”What a great wedding anniversary we’re going to have.”
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About Dan Hauser
As an avid golfer and sports enthusiast, Dan has had a passion for sports starting at a very young age. Dan’s other passion has always been writing. Since the time he could write, he has always enjoyed sharing information with people and telling stories through writing. In middle school he combined his two loves by joining the school newspaper in the sports department.
