RBC Heritage notebook: Russell Knox knows winning feeling

Russell Knox joked following his low round of the day Friday that winning golf tournaments is fun and everyone should do it.

He knows better. His 6-under 65 left him 5 under after two rounds of the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing and a shot off the lead. He is in position for his first victory since a breakthrough at the World Golf Championships HSBC Championship, his inaugural win on the PGA Tour.

Knox said he now knows he can execute shots under pressure.

“I don’t think it’s going to make it any easier next time, because golf is hard,” he said. “At least I know I’ve done it and I can keep doing it.”

Know credited putting for his hot round.

Ramon Bescansa, creator of the Perfect Putter green-reading aid, is on Hilton Head Island this week to help his friend, as is a representative of Knox’s putter company, SeeMore.

Knox is employing a new SeeMore model and working on drills to help build confidence on the green.

His day included three consecutive birdies starting on No. 12, and a 24-foot birdie putt to close on the difficult par-4 18th.

“(Bescansa) kind of kicks my butt to do the drills and practice, and today it worked,” Knox said.

Weir withdraws, gets called out by rookie

Former Masters champ Mike Weir withdrew from the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing following a 7-over 78 in the opening round, and that didn’t sit well with fellow PGA Tour member Dawie van der Walt, according to several media reports.

Van der Walt, a 33-year-old Tour rookie who earned his card last season via the Web.com Tour Finals, was second alternate for this week’s event but he ultimately didn’t gain entry into the 132-man field. Weir played on a sponsor’s exemption. After learning of the left-hander’s withdrawal, van der Walt sent a tweet to his 936 followers that he deleted hours later, The Golf Channel reported.

“Gota (sic) love a guy who gets an invite into a Tour event and then WD after the first round,” van der Walt wrote, closing his tweet with the hashtag, “#hangitupmike.”

Weir, a Canadian, won the Masters in 2003. He spent more than 110 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Ranking between 2001 and 2005 but has slumped mightily since. He’s playing this season on a major medical exemption.

He did not give a reason for his Heritage withdrawal.

Gainey, English, Compton also withdraw

Camden’s Tommy Gainey withdrew during his second round with a lower back injury. Gainey had reached 4 under for the tournament and only two behind the lead.

He mad a quadruple bogey 8 on the par-4 11th before withdrawing.

Harris English also withdrew, before his second-round tee time. English shot 77 to open the tournament Thursday. He cited a right wrist injury.

The fifth-year professional and Georgia native was coming off a tie for 42nd at the Masters.

Erik Compton was another scratch Friday. He didn’t offer a reason.

Past champions among notables to miss cut

Some familiar RBC Heritage names will not be playing the weekend.

Past champions Stewart Cink, Graeme McDowell, Brandt Snedeker and Brian Gay missed the 36-hole cut, which was 2 over par. Savannah’s Brian Harman also finished outside the cut line, at 6 over.

Sea Pines ambassador Jeff Maggert shot 73-72 to finish 3 over and miss the cut by a shot.

Jason Bohn, playing his first tournament since suffering a major heart attack in February, fought back from an opening 74 to make the cut. He shot a 2-under 69 on Friday and is 1 over.

“I put a little stress on the old ticker today, so that’s good,” Bohn said.

This story was originally published April 15, 2016 at 7:04 PM with the headline "RBC Heritage notebook: Russell Knox knows winning feeling."