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• Russell Knox is *technically* first reserve for the Ryder Cup
• That’s according to the Ryder Cup captain’s agreement
• Only if a wildcard withdraws can Clarke choose who he likes

RUSSELL KNOX | RYDER CUP

Russell Knox’ Ryder Cup dream is not quite over just yet – as he’s *technically* first reserve for the match at Hazeltine.

The 31-year-old found out on Tuesday that he was not one of Darren Clarke’s three wildcard picks – with Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Thomas Pieters getting the nod – despite him being world No.20 and having recorded two PGA Tour wins in the last ten months.

But, according to the captain’s agreement, Knox would be the first player to be summoned to the team should any of the nine automatic qualifiers withdraw. One of those, Open champion Henrik Stenson, is an injury concern after withdrawing from The Barclays last week.

“I’ve got a small re-tear in the back side of the meniscus” – Henrik Stenson

The Swede, who pulled out after a flare-up of the knee problem which forced surgery at the end of last year, told Golf Channel ahead of the Deutsche Bank Championship: “I’ve got a small re-tear in the back side of the meniscus – a different place from previous – but that’s what’s causing the symptoms.

“At this point I’m not hoping to have another surgery, I’ve just got to see how I progress and see how much grief it gives me.”

Read more -> Russell Knox call ‘so tough’, admits Clarke

CONTINUES BELOW…

Ryder Cup

Should that give the Swede a lot of grief and he is forced to withdraw, Russell Knox would be eligible to take his place according to the captain’s agreement.

It states: “If the withdrawal is one of the four players who qualified from the European Points List, he will be replaced by the fifth player from the European Points List.

“If the fifth player on the European Points List is already in the team via the World Points List, he will be deemed to have made the team through the European Points List and the replacement will be the next person on the World Points List.

“If the withdrawal is one of the five players from the World Points List, he will be replaced by the next player not already in the team from the World Points List.

“If the withdrawal is a captain’s pick, he will be replaced by a captain’s pick.”

Confused? Let us explain.

Read more -> Russell Knox backed after Ryder Cup snub

CONTINUES BELOW…

RyderCup

So, say Henrik Stenson withdraws.

Andy Sullivan would take his place.

However, Sullivan is already in the team via the World Points List.

Sullivan would become a European Points List qualifier.

Therefore, Russell Knox would be eligible as the next highest ranked player on the World Points List.

Only if either Westwood, Kaymer or Pieters withdraw, will Clarke be able to pick anyone other than Knox.

So there you have it. The 31-year-old’s 2016 Ryder Cup dream isn’t dead and buried just yet.

Russell Knox :: Was he hard done to?

Do you think Russell Knox was hard done to in missing out on the Ryder Cup? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

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