Russell Knox: ‘I’ve never been so nervous’

Russell Knox laughed off his 17th hole nightmare at the Players Championship in brilliant fashion – and admitted he’d ‘never been so nervous’ when he returned yesterday.

The affable Scot plunged three balls into the water en route to carding a nine on the 17th on Saturday, putting him well out of contention at a point when he was comfortably situated in the top ten.

Russell Knoxhttps://t.co/cx1COrlUU6

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 14, 2016

Ouch. But Knox immediately saw the funny side, posting this tweet before yesterday’s final round.

SHANK you very much for all the nice messages. Looking forward to getting my revenge today!!! #THEPLAYERS pic.twitter.com/5IOMUhVURr

— Russell Knox (@rooknox) May 15, 2016

The WGC-HSBC Champions winner avoided the water this time around but still made bogey. However, he explained how his recovery there was a ‘career-defining moment’.

“I’ve never been so nervous over a shot in my whole life,” said Russell Knox. “It was a career-defining moment for me. If I couldn’t get off the tee there today, I was in big trouble. So I was very happy that I hit the green. Even though I three-putted, I beat my score by five yesterday, so pretty solid!

“I mean, you’ve got two choices. Either you’re good with it or you’re not, and I chose the good side, I guess. You can only laugh. I mean, it’s the 17th of Sawgrass. It’s one of the coolest holes ever, and yesterday it got my lunch.

“But I knew I could come back, and I’m glad I hit the green today. I mean, I wish I could have yesterday over. It would have – I would have been right there, I think, but at the same time, it is what it is. I would say I got my revenge, even though I made a bogey. Whatever.”

Russell Knox carded rounds of 68-67-80-68 to finish T19. Had he made par on the 17th – he would’ve been sitting T2 alongside Kevin Chappell.

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Russell Knox :: More wins ahead

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