Scotland’s Russell Knox provided one of the most dramatic finishes of the European Tour season when holing two 30-foot putts at the 18th hole at Ballyliffin Golf Club to win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
The 33-year-old Scot, who is largely based on the PGA Tour, began the final day at the County Donegal links six shots off the lead, but an eagle at the par-five fourth, followed by four more birdies, meant he stepped onto the 18thtee with his score on 13 under par – the clubhouse target which had already been set by Spain’s Jorge Campillo.
It looked like Knox might have to settle for a tie with Campillo at best, after his approach finished 35 feet from the hole on the edge of the green, but he proceeded to roll it into the cup to rapturous cheers, moving him to 14 under.
New Zealander Grant Fox could only watch from the fairway as the drama unfolded, and he looked set to rain on Knox’s parade moments later after a stunning approach to the final green. But his 10-foot putt slipped by, meaning extra holes were required to separate the two.
Playing the 452-yard 18th hole again, Knox found the rough off the tee, and it looked like advantage to Fox after he smashed another huge drive down the fairway, leaving himself just a gap wedge to the green. Knox bravely found the putting surface with his bumped approach, after which Fox hit his wedge to no more than 10 feet.
Putting from an almost identical position to his final putt in regulation, Knox drained another incredible 30-foot effort to claim the title, and move to fifth in the Race to Dubai rankings.
Fox did have a consolation prize by earning a spot in The Open Championship in two weeks’ time, while Campillo finished in outright third place. Last year’s Irish Open champion Jon Rahm finished with a six-under 66 to claim a share of fourth alongside the third round leader Erik Van Rooyen of South Africa.
Knox said: “That’s why you play golf, to hole a putt like that on the last hole. The adrenaline just comes out and it’s the best feeling in the world, to be honest.I thought my chances had slipped on 17, failing to make birdie. I knew Foxy had bombed one down there. I knew my only chance was to birdie 18, and I just got it cutting on the wind into the rough and I thought, ‘oh, no, I’m going to be doomed over there’. But I was able to hit a good shot and get on the green, which I was thrilled with. Then I just blacked out to be honest. I stood over the putt. I read the putt and I thought, just don’t aim. Just react. I’ve hit the putt a bit firm, but it just started tracking and eventually dropped – unbelievable.”
He added:” I can’t believe I’m standing here holding this trophy right now. This is my time of year to play good golf, I guess.”
Following a runner-up finish in last week’s French Open at Paris National, Knox’s win in Ireland catapulted him to eighth in the European Ryder Cup standings, and with a live chance of making the team, after being controversially overlooked by Darren Calrke for a wildcard spot in 2016.
“To make that team, obviously you have to win tournaments,” said Knox. “This is a great start, but it is not good enough. I need to hammer down and I’m going to have to make that team in order to go to France. I struggle the next two weeks I’m still going to enjoy this moment, but you never know.”
RUSSELL KNOX’s WINNING BAG
Driver: Ping G400 LST (10)
Fairway woods: Ping G400 (14.5), Cleveland Launcher FL (19)
Irons: Srixon Z 745 (4-9)
Wedges: Cleveland RTX-3 (48, 54, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2 NB
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV