Russell Knox feels the pressure is off on home soil at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open after claiming his first Rolex Series win in Ireland.
The 33 year old holed a stunning 40-foot putt on the 72nd hole at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation to get into a play-off and then did it again in almost identical fashion to beat Ryan Fox on the first extra trip up the last.
Knox's two European Tour wins have come at a World Golf Championships and a Rolex Series event so for a man who clearly excels on the big stage, another Rolex Series event on home soil would look to be the perfect arena to go back-to-back.
The local favourite is also playing in next week's Open Championship courtesy of a good week at the HNA Open de France, and he feels he is in a good frame of mind for a fortnight of links golf at home.
“It was obviously amazing,” he said. “I wouldn't change anything. I played a lot of golf but ultimately winning in Ireland makes up for everything, all the hard work I've put in.
“It's been good. I'm tired now but couldn't really have worked out any better, coming back to Scotland for two weeks. Obviously I'll be up for these next two tournaments, naturally being back home. So it's been a roller coaster ride but all good.
“I'd love everyone to feel the rush that you get when you win a tournament like that. It truly is the most amazing feeling ever. It's just a complete blur for a couple of hours, weeks, to be honest. It really is an amazing feeling. It was fun.
“I'm going to definitely enjoy every time I can finish first. It almost takes the pressure off this week and next week. Obviously I'm here to try and win this week, every week you play you try to finish your best but you need to enjoy what just happened and so I'm not going to forget that any time soon.
I'll be up for these next two tournaments, naturally being back home - Russell Knox
“The main goal this week, and also next week, is just to enjoy my time here and if I can replicate any kind of form the last few weeks, it will be a huge bonus.”
Knox's two monster putts at Ballyliffin Golf Club will be a staple of the end-of-season highight reels come November, and the 2015 WGC-HSBC Champions winner feels that pressure situations can bring out the best in his game.
"Maybe I need that environment to bring that out in me,” he said. “It's all about managing that adrenaline level. Maybe I play my best when I'm on edge. Some of my tournaments I've played my best at are stressful courses, like France, you have a lot of high-stress shots.
"Almost like that triggers my adrenaline level, maybe that's what I need to play my best. I need to somehow pump myself up for those big moments and fortunately I've got a couple stacked in the memory books that I can rely on when I need to.”
