Knost reckons he’s ready to finally fulfill vast potential

By: Pete Iacobelli Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Saturday, Apr. 14, 2012

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- Colt Knost believes he's finally ready to succeed on the PGA Tour, no matter how much work he's got ahead at the RBC Heritage.

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HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- Colt Knost believes he's finally ready to succeed on the PGA Tour, no matter how much work he's got ahead at the RBC Heritage.

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This article was published 14/04/2012 (5239 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Colt Knost believes he’s finally ready to succeed on the PGA Tour, no matter how much work he’s got ahead at the RBC Heritage.

Knost shot a 6-under 66 on Friday to take a two-stroke lead over Carl Pettersson after the second round. Knost, tied for the first-round lead with Chad Campbell and Vaughn Taylor after a 67, had three birdies in a four-hole stretch midway through the round and finished at 9-under 133.

Pettersson had a 65, his best ever showing in 32 career rounds at Harbour Town Golf Links. Two-time RBC Heritage winner Boo Weekley (66) and Harris English (68) were another shot off the lead at 6 under in a week when Masters champion Bubba Watson and most of the world’s best took a break following the year’s first major.

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Colt Knost — Tribune Media MCT Colt Knost

World No. 1 Luke Donald bounced back from an opening 75 with a 69 to slide inside the cut line.

Campbell (70) and Robert Garrigus (66) were four shots behind. Defending champion Brandt Snedeker had five consecutive birdies on the way to a 67 and was tied with Michael Bradley (64), Kevin Na (68), Bob Estes (67) and Fredrik Jacobson (67) at 4 under.

The 26-year-old Knost was one of the fastest risers in golf a few years ago, winning the U.S. Amateur, the U.S. Public Links championship and helping the American team win the Walker Cup in 2007. He won twice on the Nationwide Tour in 2008, his first season as a pro, and easily qualified for the big tour. Even more winning was ahead, right?

“I felt like I was ready for this level out here,” Knost said. “And apparently, I wasn’t.”

Knost missed the cut in 13 of 24 tour events that year and earned just $180,734 to lose his card after 2009. He regained playing privileges after another season on the Nationwide Tour and yet again struggled at the higher level, missing cuts in 15 of 26 events.

Knost held on to his tour card in gut-wrenching experience at Q-school — he was in tears when he thought a double bogey on the 108th and final hole cost him the PGA Tour — and has since tried to rediscover the work habits and confidence that made him one of the decade’s best amateurs.

“I don’t know if I just didn’t continue with the same work ethic or not or I didn’t have the belief, but it was a struggle for a few years out here,” Knost said. “But now I feel like I’m starting to get my game back where I like it.”

Knost certainly liked his second-round performance.

He had three birdies in four holes to give him the lead at 8 under. He made his final birdie on the par-5 fifth and finished off the bogey-free round that stoked his confidence.

“I felt so comfortable out there being around the lead, even though it’s only Friday,” he said. “I think I’m also going to feel great this weekend.”

— The Associated Press