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• Russell Knox explains how picking Duncan Stewart was simple
• The duo will represent Scotland in the World Cup of Golf
• “This has the potential to change Duncan’s life,” said Knox

RUSSELL KNOX | WORLD CUP OF GOLF

Russell Knox has explained how it was a simple decision to select former roommate and one of his best friends, Duncan Stewart, to compete alongside him in the upcoming World Cup of Golf.

The Scottish duo were inseparable as Scottish teammates at Jacksonville University and, while Knox has risen to stardom on the PGA Tour over the past 12 months, Stewart only grabbed his maiden Challenge Tour win in May.

“This has the potential to change Duncan’s life” – Russell Knox

Currently eighth in the Road to Oman, Stewart does look well-placed to secure one of the 15 European Tour cards on offer through the circuit but, with last place at the World Cup paying approximately the same as first place on the Challenge Tour, Knox saw it as the perfect opportunity to help out his long-time friend.

Read more -> Lawrie explains Russell Knox Ryder Cup call

CONTINUES BELOW…

AAM Scottish Open Qualifier - Day Two

“If we finish dead last by 20 shots or win the thing, we’re going to talk about this until we’re dead,” Russell Knox told the European Tour of the pair’s upcoming journey to Kingston Heath from November 24-27.

“I feel like this has the potential to change Duncan’s life. I feel like he could easily be in my shoes and vice versa, and if he was in my shoes, he would have picked me.”

The year 2016 has marked quite the turn-around for Stewart, who revealed that had it not been for the upturn in form, he probably wouldn’t be teeing it up competitively in 2017.

“I decided I’m going to give this a real go” – Duncan Stewart

This would have followed a previous spell of giving up golf, which lasted 11 months in 2009 and 2010, before he decided to give it one last shot.

“I took out a loan,” said Stewart, who at that time was working in a slaughterhouse. “I decided I’m going to give this a real go.”

Read more -> Russell Knox tastes glory at Travelers Championship

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Travelers Championship - Final Round

Read more -> Duncan Stewart captures maiden Tour win

He spent two seasons on the EuroPro Tour, before finishing 20th in the Challenge Tour Rankings in 2013. After that promising season, he decided to make swing changes, but subsequently struggled to find the fairway, earning just €22,236 in 2014 and €15,119 in 2015.

“If I played this year the way I did the past two seasons, I probably wouldn’t be playing golf again next year,” Stewart said. “At the start of the year I said, ‘If things don’t change, there’s no way I’m going to play the next season.’”

Thankfully for Stewart, things have worked out thus far in 2016 with €95,500 earned and a European Tour card looking likely and, thanks to Russell Knox, it has the potential to get a whole lot better.

Russell Knox’ selection of Duncan Stewart

What do you make of Russell Knox’ selection of Duncan Stewart for the World Cup of Golf? Is it fair? Or should the place have been offered to a higher ranked Scot? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

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