Just watch Knox will be a golfing superstar

Top US golf pundit Mark Rolfing says he believes Scots golfer Russell Knox is set to become one of the world’s top golfers!

The Inverness man made headlines in July when he shot a spectacular 59 at the Web.com tour’s Boise Open in Idaho.

But he has his work cut out to get through four qualifying rounds to gain his 2014 US Tour card, starting this weekend in Indiana.

However, when asked which golfer he reckoned was most likely to make the breakthrough into the Tour Championship and FedEx final 30 in 2014, Rolfing declared: “It may surprise you, but I’m gonna say Russell Knox.

“He can shoot really low and his career has the potential to skyrocket.”

Russell admits he was tickled pink by his comments. “He’s a very smart man,” he laughed.

“But I feel great about my game right now, everything fell into place when I qualified for the US Open and then made the cut.

“I’ve played some really good golf since then. Every part of my game is on the up, so it would be really great to finish the year off in style.”

Knox did well to make up ground to get into the play-offs. Ironically his placing in the Web.com tour rankings were affected by the fact he qualified to play in 11 US Tour events.

As well as making the cut at the US Open he finished 13th at the Travelers Championship with four rounds in the 60s.

But his qualification quest over the next four weekends isn’t made any easier by the fact he’ll be up against some top players from outside the top 125 on the regular Tour.

Former Masters champion Trevor Immelman and Ryder Cup players Chris de Marco and Chad Campbell will be vying for one of the 25 tour cards.

However, the days of being intimidated by the big names are long gone, as Russell admits: “I was maybe a bit star-struck and out of my element when I got out here.

“But I played a practice round with Ernie Els at the US Open this year, and that was fun.

“I’ve progressed to a point where I’m pretty selfish and caught up in what I have to do now simply because I have the experience, and I believe I belong out here.

“The 59 was also a huge boost because it let me know what I can do.”