An emotional Russell Knox said he was “speechless” Sunday after becoming the first player in history to win on his World Golf Championships debut.
“Winning any professional tournament is a massive accomplishment,” Knox told a news conference after his two-stroke victory against a world-class field in the $8.5 million (Dh31.2m) WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, also his maiden victory in a US PGA Tour event.
“You’re never quite sure if you’re ever going to, because there’s so many incredible players. To come and be on top this week is a dream come true, and I still can’t quite believe I’m here.”
His final 4-under 68 gave him a total of 268, 20 under par. Kevin Kisner of the US was second on 270, while English pair Danny Willett and Ross Fisher tied for third a further stroke behind.
It was a week of firsts as Knox became the first Scotsman ever to win one the four big-money WGC events, which rank second only to the majors in prestige.
The victory also came on the America-based 30-year-old’s first trip to Asia following his appearance in the PGA Tour’s CIMB Classic in Malaysia last week, where he tied for 21st place.
“As a kid I don’t know if I ever would have guessed I would have been on the PGA Tour winning a huge tournament like this,” he said.
“I’m speechless. This is going to take a long time to sink in.”
Ten years ago, Knox moved from his native Inverness to college at Jacksonville University, Florida, to pursue his golfing dreams. He paid an emotional tribute to his coach and mentor there Mike Flemming, who died two years ago.
“I thought about him throughout the day to be honest. I thought about him on the 18th when I had to tap in to win, and my eyes started tearing up. I probably will now,” said Knox, his voice cracking.
“I owe him everything. He was my coach for eight years, and he passed away a couple years ago. He’s been my inspiration and he taught me everything I know. It finally paid off.”
With superstars such as Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson breathing down his neck Sunday at Sheshan International Golf Club, Knox remained remarkably composed to card six birdies and just two bogeys en route to the $1.4 million winner’s cheque – the biggest pay day of his career by some distance.
“I was quite calm, actually, way more than normal to be honest,” Knox said. “But at the same time, it was the most nerve-racking thing I’ve ever done.
“I tried not to watch Dustin play, especially the front nine, just because we are in two different worlds. He’s hitting it 50, 60 yards past me off the tee.”
The victory propelled Knox to third in the US PGA FedEx Cup standings and almost certainly would have caught the eye of European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke.
Knox is not a member of the European Tour and so would be ineligible for next year’s showdown at Hazeltine unless he joins the tour.
“Obviously it’s going to be a goal of mine to make the European Ryder Cup team,” said Knox. “But I have no idea where I stand or what I need to do to make the team. But I look forward to finding out and giving it a run.”
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The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm
Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh130,000
On sale: now
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Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs
Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Power: 211hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km
Price: Dh235,000
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
On racial profiling at airports
Your rights as an employee
The government has taken an increasingly tough line against companies that fail to pay employees on time. Three years ago, the Cabinet passed a decree allowing the government to halt the granting of work permits to companies with wage backlogs.
The new measures passed by the Cabinet in 2016 were an update to the Wage Protection System, which is in place to track whether a company pays its employees on time or not.
If wages are 10 days late, the new measures kick in and the company is alerted it is in breach of labour rules. If wages remain unpaid for a total of 16 days, the authorities can cancel work permits, effectively shutting off operations. Fines of up to Dh5,000 per unpaid employee follow after 60 days.
Despite those measures, late payments remain an issue, particularly in the construction sector. Smaller contractors, such as electrical, plumbing and fit-out businesses, often blame the bigger companies that hire them for wages being late.
The authorities have urged employees to report their companies at the labour ministry or Tawafuq service centres — there are 15 in Abu Dhabi.
