Every player that tees it up on the NGA/Hooters Tour has visions of moving up the golfing ladderand last week, current member Russell Knox proved that the rungs are not that far apart.
The 25-year-old native of Scotland used a birdie-eagle finish to Monday Qualify for the Nationwide Tour’s Fresh Express Classic in Hayward, California, and then shot rounds of 65-68-66 on the first three days of the Fresh Express Classic to move into a tie for second going into the final round.
Knox, a former Jacksonville (Fla.) University All-American, pulled even with leader Daniel Chopra in the final round and was facing a 5-foot birdie putt to take the outright lead on hole No. 8 when play was suspended due to heavy fog. It never lifted, and Knox was credited with a T2 finish when the event was shortened to 54 holes.
Even though his $50,000-plus payday moved him into 11th on the Nationwide Tour money list and earned him instant status on the No. 2 tour, the ultra-competitive Knox couldn’t help but think about missing out on a chance for the victory.
“I wasn’t thinking about the money or [Nationwide Tour] status,” saidKnox, a two-time NGA/Hooters Tour winner. “I was playing well, and I would have preferred to keep playing. I would have learned more by finishing the tournament, but gaining my Nationwide Tour status is a good consolation prize.”
After his collegiate career, Knox has been a mainstay on the NGA/Hooters Tour since 2007, playing in 72 events and accumulating over $330,000 in winnings. In his first start of 2011, Knox finished second in the Bridgestone Winter Series event at Deer Island Golf Club and backed it up with a T8 in the Harley-Davidson of Ocala Classic. Feeling his game was in good shape, Knox made the trek to California for the Monday Qualifier.
“One of my goals at the beginning of the year was to play my way onto the Nationwide Tour,” said Knox. “I figured I might as well fly to San Francisco, then boom all this happens. It’s just surreal.”
In years past, the “boom” could have been the sound of a mental collapse by Knox. But in the off-season, the Scot made a life-changing decision.
“After the second round Q-School, I felt like I had to do something good,” said Knox. “I needed to see a sports psychologist because something was messed up in my head. I went to Vision 54 and they taught me to enjoy playing again. It made an enormous change in my game and has helped me tremendously.”
While Knox would have certainly liked to join the Nationwide Tour sooner, he believes the four years spent on theNGA/Hooters Tour was the catalyst behind his recent surge.
“The Hooters Tour made me the golfer I am right now,” said Knox. “I don’t think people understand how necessary the Hooters Tour is. It was everything to me. You need to be out there playing four rounds against good competition. There’s a lot of good competition on the Hooters Tour. I believe you could win on the Hooters Tour one week and go win on the Nationwide Tour the next. The players are that good.”
Knox won’t have to endure Monday Qualifying or a cross-country flight to compete in his next Nationwide Tour event, the South Georgia Classic April 28-May 1 at the Kinderlou Forest Golf Club in Valdosta, Ga. But he does hope the outcome is similar, minus the fog.
“I think I have a shot at winning on the Nationwide Tour,” said Knox. “If I remain consistent like I have been on the Hooters Tour and keep putting myself in position, I will eventually have another chance to win.”
If so, Knox will reach the top of the ladder.
