Some regard him as the luckiest man alive, others as one of the best putters on Augusta National greens. But who exactly is Jeff Knox?
The rules at Augusta National are clear that no player should go out as a single in the final two rounds. A non-competing marker helps steady the pace of play and keep score.
There is one man that’s being acting in that role for some time… Jeff Knox. Here’s what we know:
- His full name is: Jefferson Boone Aiken Knox
- He lives about five minutes from the famed course, where he is a member
- He holds the course record, off the members tees, a 61
- He shot 70 in 2014 in round 3, to beat playing partner Rory McIlroy by one. The Northern Irishman said Knox is ‘the best I’ve ever seen on Augusta’s greens’. McIlroy finished that day with 3 birdies in his last 4 holes
- He’s played in competition rounds with Sergio Garcia, Jim Furyk and Ernie Els
- Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have asked Knox to host them when they arrive for pre-tournament rounds
- His son, Lee, played college golf with Justin Thomas
- A few years back, his record against the pros was 6 wins, 8 eight losses and 1 draw
- He’s played more rounds in the Masters than Webb Simpson
- He first played in 2003 and beat 1982 Masters champion Craig Stadler twice.
- In 2008, he provoked Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez by outdriving him on the first tee
- He doesn’t do interviews, Augusta members don’t seek that kind of publicity
