NY Times · Jul 8, 2015
Knox Ready for 'True Thrill' of Playing 1st British Open
GULLANE, Scotland — Russell Knox was playing the 12th hole in the pro-am at the Scottish Open when he checked his phone and saw he'd received a text from his wife.
It was the message Knox had been waiting for: He'll be playing in the British Open for the first time.
The 30-year-old Scot was given a place in the field for golf's oldest major tournament after top-ranked Rory McIlroy withdrew Wednesday because of a left ankle injury sustained while playing soccer with friends at the weekend.
"It's a horrible way to get in, I guess, but I'm very happy I'm in the field," Knox said.
"What Scot doesn't want to play an Open, let alone an Open at St. Andrews? It'll be a true thrill."