It has been a summer to remember so far for in-form Russell Knox, and with the Scot set to tee it up alongside his hero Tiger Woods for the first time at Carnoustie this week, the 147th Open Championship promises to live long in his memory too.
Home favourite Knox heads to Scotland's Angus coast fresh from a stunning six-week spell which began when he qualified for the US Open before recording his best-ever finish at a Major Championship, coming joint 12th at Shinnecock Hills last month.
The 33 year old then secured his spot at the third Major of the year when he finished in a tie for second at the HNA Open de France, before overcoming Ryan Fox in a play-off at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation the following week to win his first Rolex Series event.
Upon returning to home soil for last week's Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, Knox posted opening rounds of 66, 67 and 66 to put himself in contention once again before his challenge faded on the Sunday.
Knox will begin his Open charge alongside 14-time Major Champion Woods and World Number 16 Hideki Matsuyama on Thursday afternoon.
And the Inverness native said getting the chance to play with Woods was a dream come true.
He said: "It has been an amazing couple of weeks for me - almost winning a tournament, winning a tournament, contending at the Scottish Open and then getting to play with your hero.
"I watched him (Woods) win the Masters in 1997 when I was about 12. He is the reason why I played golf probably, just watching him dominate for years.
"I've played in his tournament in the Bahamas, which was great, but to play with him is amazing, to play with him at a Major is even more amazing, to play with him in a Major in my own country is even more amazing. It's pretty cool.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with your hero. I'm just floating on air - Russell Knox
“I'm expecting it to be difficult. To be honest I do care how I play but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with your hero. I'm just floating on air.
"I just have to enjoy playing in that atmosphere. The adrenaline will be pumping for sure, with everything out there, so fatigue won't be an issue. It will be a good battle but I just have to enjoy it.
"If I hadn't done anything in the last month or so there was no way I'd be in that pairing but because I have I deserve to be there. It will be different.
"I never thought my career would be fully complete if I didn't get to play with him. Hopefully I have a long way to go but at the darkest times for Tiger with injuries I didn't think I'd ever get to play with him. This is a dream come true.
"I had a poster of him on my wall. He changed the game for everyone, including myself."
