Russell Knox wins playoff for Irish Open title
Russell Knox emerged victorious after a playoff with Ryan Fox on a thrilling afternoon at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open on Sunday.
The Scot rolled in a 40 foot putt on the final green in regulation to tie with Fox at the top of the leaderboard on 14 under for the tournament. Knox then went on to win on the first playoff hole in stunning fashion at Ballyliffin Golf Club in Donegal.
MASSIVE.
Russell Knox wins the 2018 #DDFIrishOpen pic.twitter.com/4fmhDuS7oK
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 8, 2018
Earlier, overnight leader Erik van Rooyen – who started the day with a four stroke lead – conspired to post a two over 74 and fall out of contention.
Knox and Fox headed down the 18th once more, both had great drives and found the green with ease. Knox found himself with a similar putt to the one he drained to get in the playoff and the world number 87 defied all odds to do just the same, transfering all the pressure to Fox.
The New Zealander had a 10 footer for his birdie and it looked looked to be going in for all money until it moved left and lipped out, handing Knox his second win on the European Tour.
“To make a putt like that, it’s a dream come true,” the 33-year-old told europeantour.com.
“It’s so hard to win tournaments. The way I managed to do it, holing those two long putts, it was just my time. I’m just lucky to win one of these massive events, so thank you very much to Rolex.”
Defending champion Jon Rahm was also in the mix, playing brilliantly to come back from a triple bogey seven early in his round to post a six under 66, enough to finish in T4 with van Rooyen.
Jorge Campillo signed for a final round 65 to finish alone in third, while tournament host Rory McIlroy would finish T28 on two under, 12 strokes off the pace.
Latest
-
European TourLipsky tames Leopard Creek at Alfred Dunhill
David Lipsky won his first tournament in five years by two strokes at the Alfred Dunhill Championship on Sunday.
-
Staysure TourChapman wins for the first time in six years
England’s Roger Chapman claimed the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles with victory in a play-off over Phillip Price.
-
Asian TourStenson and Rose finish off the pace in Indonesia
Poom Saksansin racked up his fifth professional victory at the Indonesian Masters on Sunday, while Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose were off the pace.
-
European TourScott Jamieson edges ahead at Alfred Dunhill in South Africa
Scotland’s Scott Jamieson will take a slender one-shot lead into the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship in Malelane.
-
Staysure TourMiguel Angel Martin on the brink of first Staysure Tour win
Miguel Angel Martin smashed a superb 9-under-par 59 to grab a five-shot lead after round two of the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles.
-
Asian TourStenson chasing Saksansin as Rose closes in on World No 1
Thailand’s Poom Saksansin will have another chance to take down old foe Henrik Stenson in Sunday’s final round of the Indonesian Masters.
-
European TourDavid Lipsky leads four Scots at Leopard Creek
David Lipsky fired a bogey-free 66 to grab the second-round lead at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa.
-
Staysure TourLehman leads season-ending MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles
After a day of weather disruption former World No 1 Tom Lehman led the field in the Staysure Tour’s season finale at Constance Lemuria.
-
Asian TourRose loses ground in Indonesia as Saksansin grabs lead
Poom Saksansin broke his personal best with a nine-under-par 63 to take the second-round clubhouse lead at the Indonesian Masters.
-
NewsHere are all the new golf rules coming into effect in 2019
The USGA and R&A are preparing to introduce a whole host of new rules aimed at making the game faster, fairer and simpler in 2019.