Russell Knox on 'great path' as he moves into mix in PGA Tour event

Russell Knox has the leaders in his sights heading into the final round of the The American Express event in California.

Russell Knox talks about his third-round 64 in The American Express tournament in La Quinta, California. Picture: Harry How/Getty Images.

The Scots sits just two shots off the pace at PGA West at La Quinta after storming into contention on the back of a best-of-the-day 64 in the penultimate circuit.

Knox, who is bidding for a third win on the US circuit and first since 2016, carded eight birdies in a brilliant bogey-free effort on the Stadium Course as he moved to 13-under-par.

The 25-year-old is tied for fifth as he chases a trio sharing top spot - American duo Tony Finau and Max Homa, as well as Si Woo Kim.

“To be honest, the first two days I've hit the ball very well, I've been extremely untidy especially around the greens. I think I missed six putts inside five feet,” said Knox.

“So basically just said to myself today just don't miss the short ones and keep rolling the good ones.

“I got into a beautiful rhythm with the putter today, started seeing the lines pretty early and just kind of kept it going. Rounds like those are fun.”

Knox, who is bidding to join fellow Scot Martin Laird as a winner on the PGA Tour this season, added: “I mean for quite a few years I was fairly consistent, but I've just been lacking one or two things in my game that have just held me back a little bit.

”I mean the driving and the putting are the two most important things I've just kind of been limping at.

“But I'm on a great path to make those much better and this week both have been very good.”

Laird, who was going along nicely until suffering a sore finish in the second round, sits joint-39th on seven-under after a 69.

Meanwhile, former Open champion Darren Clarke made it back-to-back wins on the Champions Tour with a two-shot success in the Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Hawaii.

The Northern Irishman closed with an eight-under 64 at Hualalai for a 21-under 195 total as he backed up his breakthrough win on the over-50s circuit in the TimberTech Championship in Florida in November.

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