Russell Knox pipped to Honda title

Scotland’s Russell Knox came within a whisker of winning his maiden PGA Tour title, only to lose out to American Russell Henley in a four-man play-off at the Honda Classic.

Inverness-born Knox, 28, was pipped at the first extra hole – along with long-time leader Rory McIlroy and Ryan Palmer – as Henley converted a birdie-four to claim his second career win.

Starting the final round three behind McIlroy, Knox posted a one-over-par 71 to tie with the Northern Irishman, as well as Palmer and Henley, on eight-under and give himself his best shot of victory to date.

However, when his tee shot found a bunker at the first extra hole – the par-5 18th – his back was to the wall and, though he managed to make his five, Henley converted a short birdie putt to take the title.

Afterwards, a philosophical Knox commented: “I know that my game is improving every week and I feel like this is a position which I feel like I should be in. I’m confident in my game. I was very pleased with my finish. I didn’t win obviously but my previous best finish was tied ninth, so how can I be disappointed with this?

“I see myself as a player out here” – Russell Knox

“You just can’t control if you win or not. It’s that simple. All it takes is one guy to beat you by one shot, and so I’m very happy with my finish. Obviously, I wish I would have won, but just the way I felt coming down the last few holes was something which I know I won’t forget, and when given the chance again, maybe it will be my turn.”

Russell Knox will be able to console himself with the fact that he has now all-but-secured his PGA Tour card for next season, having graduated onto the main circuit from the Web.com Tour last year.

“I played very nice in the Web.com finals in the last event to even be here and I see myself as a player out here,” said Knox, who climbs to 19th on the FedExCup standings and 119th on the official world rankings, having started 2014 in 245th.  “So it was nice to have the opportunity to get back out here this year.”

Russell Knox: A win around the corner?

Having made eight cuts in ten starts on the tour this season, and on the back of two top tens in his past four events, can Russell Knox make the breakthrough and win on the tour this season? Leave your thoughts in our ‘Comments’ section below.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor