Russell Knox ready to '˜go for it' in Ryder Cup bid

Russell Knox putts at the ninth in the final round of the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head. Picture: AP

The Scottish No 1 closed with a four-under-par 67 for a seven-under 277 total on the Sea Pines course at the South Carolina resort.

He finished two shots behind South African Grace (66) alongside former Scottish Open champion Luke Donald (71), with American Bryson DeChambeau (68) sharing fourth spot on his pro debut.

“I am thrilled where I finished and also how I played today as I made some nice putts out there today,” admitted Knox afterwards.

“I was thinking if I shot three under par on the back nine I might have a chance, so I was happy with the way I conducted myself and the shots I hit coming down the last few holes.”

It was the 30-year-old’s best performance since winning the WGC-HSBC Champions in China last November then losing in play-off in the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in Mexico the following week.

He’s up to third in the FedEx Cup behind Adam Scott and Jason Day and will climb from 40th in the world rankings when they are updated today.

Knox will also jump up in the Ryder Cup standings, having gone into the latest PGA Tour event sitting 66th on the world points list.

His WGC win didn’t count in the battle to make Clarke’s team for the match at Hazeltine in September.

However, Knox is now a European Tour member and is determined to get in the mix as the scramble for spots reaches the business end in the summer.

“Winning again would mean the goal of playing the Ryder Cup, but I am just so fortunate to be playing in these great tournaments like the majors, the WGCs and being a member of the European Tour,” he added.

“I have just to soak it all in and go for it.”

For Grace, it was his breakthrough win on the PGA Tour and follows his successful title defence in the Qatar Masters earlier this year.

“This really puts the cherry on top of the cake,” said the 27-year-old. “And I’m excited for things to start.

“I can tick this one off the box and head into the next couple of majors trying to win it. I have one notch, I’ve done it before and I can do it again.”