-->

Sport Book Service | Masters 2018: Jeff Knox is the mysterious marker who beats Rory McIlroy and holds Augusta course record

 Amateur Jeff Knox has twice beaten four-time Major champion Rory McIlroy

HEARD the one about the amateur who has twice beaten Rory McIlroy and holds the Augusta club record with an eye-popping 11-under 61?

Probably not - because you won't ever see his name.

Amateur Jeff Knox has twice beaten four-time Major champion Rory McIlroyCredit: Getty Images

Jeff Knox lives the dream of every hacker in the world.

He is Augusta's official "marker", meaning he makes up the numbers when the field is one short after the 36-hole cut.

Paired with McIlroy in the final round of the 2014 Masters, he shot 70 to the Northern Irishman's 71.

In 2006 he beat Sergio Garcia, with this year's defending champ reportedly refusing to shake his hand afterwards.

Rory McIlroy has sought Jeff Knox's advice on the treacherous Augusta greensCredit: Getty Images
The amateur is a club champion at Augusta and holds the course record 61Credit: Getty Images

Yet Knox's caddie does not wear his name on his white overalls.

He does not get announced on the first tee like all the other players in the field and his score is nowhere to be seen.


MASTER STROKE Spieth skims ball superbly across pond at Augusta's 16th


But still the 54-year-old is a source of unlimited knowledge for the likes of four-time winner Tiger Woods, McIlroy and former world No 1 Jason Day.

McIlroy said Knox, who is a director of a foundation by day and made his name in business, reads the greens better than anyone he has ever seen.

Former world No 1 Jason Day admitted he was nervous before playing with Jeff KnoxCredit: Getty Images
The marker maintains a low profile but his game is well knownCredit: Getty Images

The four-time Major champ teamed up with Knox earlier this year on an Augusta scouting mission - only to lose once again.

McIlroy said: "I gave him eight shots. I lost that one on the first tee."

Woods, one of the favourites this week, got in touch with the plus-one handicapper in 2015 though details of their round were not made public.

Day even admitted he was "nervous" before taking on the club champion in last year's third round.

Knox's secrecy only adds to his intrigue and cult legend status.

He refuses to give interviews, has no sponsors on his stand bag and wears a non-descript Augusta cap when on the course.

That's just how the men in the green jackets want it.

Jeff Knox never gives interviews and his caddies overalls do not feature his nameCredit: Getty Images

It is no coincidence Knox - who lives four minutes from the course - has been selected as the amateur to represent the club the one week of the year it is centre of the golfing universe.

He got the job in 2003 and is thought to have beaten about half of his playing partners in that time.

Though despite keeping score for some of the biggest names in the game, Knox has his own loyal supporters only interested in how he plays.

Lee Knox, Jeff's 27-year-old son, said it is "awesome" family and friends get to follow him round on the weekend of the season's first Major.

Knox can't win any money for his exploits - though he does have a wager on the side.

But even so, does it matter when his is an experience money can't buy?

Impressionist Conor Moore nails golf's biggest names ahead of Masters

LihatTutupKomentar