Russell Knox climbs golf rankings on the PGA Tour

The Scots golfer finished the St Jude Classic in Memphis with a share of eighth spot. Picture: Getty

The Jacksonville-based Scot signed off with a 66 at TPC Southwind in Memphis for a four-under-par 273 total, finishing six shots behind Argentina’s Fabian Gomez in a share of eighth spot.

The effort saw Knox, who is not playing in this week’s US Open after coming up just short in one of the sectional qualifiers a week ago, climb six spots to 27th in the FedEx Cup standings.

He’s also climbed four positions to 73rd in the world rankings, where he’s now the third highest-ranked Scottish player behind Stephen Gallacher (59th) and Marc Warren (63rd) after leapfrogging Richie Ramsay (77th).

Gomez, a 37-year-old, cruised to his first PGA Tour title as Englishman Greg Owen paid the price for crucial back-nine mistakes on the final day.

Gomez pulled away from Owen with a faultless inward 32 and capped an impressive four-shot victory in style with a 30-foot putt for his fourth birdie of the round and a closing 66 to post a winning score of 13-under-par.

In a timely boost ahead of his US Open bid, Phil Mickelson closed with a 65 to finish a five-way tie for third along 2013 Scottish Challenge winner Brooks Koepka.

Elsewhere, Colin Montgomerie and Catriona Matthew were among those left trailing in the wake of Bernhard Langer and Inbee Park as they produced impressive performances to add to their respective major hauls.

Langer made a successful defence of the Constellation Senior Players Championship at Belmont Country Club in Massachusetts, closing with a 68 after earlier rounds of 65, 65 and 67 for a six-shot victory over American Kirk Triplett.

Having reached the turn in four-under, Montgomerie was his closest challenger at one point in the final round but he eventually finished joint-third, nine behind Langer, after signing for a 68 and a ten-under-par total.

The Scot still leads the Charles Schwab Cup, but he’ll have his work cut out to stay there over the coming months with Langer now less than 200 points behind.

Park was equally impressive as she recorded a five-shot victory in the KPMG Women’s LPGA Championship at Westchester, New York, where she finished on 19-under 273 after a last-round 68.

Matthew’s closing 72 for a three-under total earned her a share of 22nd spot as well as a cheque for around £23,000.