Scottish golfer 'doing the dishes' as he bids to secure PGA Tour card
Russell Knox on having to do chores at home during US circuit’s Q-School final in Florida
Russell Knox is “doing the dishes” in between rounds as the Florida-based Scot bids to win back his PGA Tour card this weekend.
Knox followed an opening one-under-par on Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach with a two-under 68 at Sawgrass Country Club to sit joint-27th at the halfway stage in the battle for the final five PGA Tour cards for the 2026 season.
It’s a home gig this week for the Jacksonville-based 40-year-old, who won twice on the PGA Tour before losing his card at the end of the 2023 season.
“Yeah, it’s a good opportunity,” admitted Knox of playing in an event that is being co-hosted by Sawgrass Country Club. “I’ve played both these courses more than most people and both these courses suit my game if I am playing well. It’s all or nothing really but, if I play good, I should have a chance.”
The Inverness man mixed five birdies with four bogeys in his opening effort before illuminating his second circuit with an eagle-3 at the fourth.
“I didn’t play good today, but I didn’t shoot myself out of it, which is good,” added Knox, speaking after the first round.
‘At least I have somewhere to play next year’
Though one of the most experienced players among the 176 card contenders, Knox isn’t too familiar with the test he’s facing this week along with compatriot Callum McNeill.
“I haven’t played it very often,” he revealed. “I went to the finals once in Palm Springs and I played here once. So I’ve been kind of fortunate that I’ve not had to do Q-School very often.
“I’m in a unique situation as I have a full Korn Ferry Tour status for next year whereas a lot of people playing here can’t say that. At least I have somewhere to play next year regardless. But being a home week for Q-School is interesting as I’ve got to go home now and do the dishes (laughing).”
Knox landed his first PGA Tour title triumph when winning the WGC-HSBC Champions in 2015 before adding the Travelers Championship the following year.
“Yeah, it’s miserable,” he declared of being on the Korn Ferry Tour, where he started the 2025 season strongly before finishing 36th on the points list. “I much prefer the PGA Tour. But it’s just golf. If I didn’t still love it, I’d have walked away by now. I want to test myself to see if I can make it back there first and foremost and the Korn Ferry is the best way to do it.”
McNeill, who came through one of the Second Stage events last week, sits joint-109th after following an opening 71 at Dye’s Valley with the same score at Sawgrass Country Club.
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