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RUSSELL KNOX is eyeing a place on the European Tour as he hunts down a dream debut at The Ryder Cup.

The 30-year-old wrote his name into the history books by becoming the first Scot to win a World Golf Championships event.

Knox’s four-under par final round took him two clear of USA star Kevin Kistner, with English pair Danny Willett and Ross Fisher tied for third a further stroke behind.

The Inverness star was only seventh reserve for the HSBC Champions in Shanghai, but belied his status going into the tournament to storm to victory.

Victory propelled Knox to third in the US PGA FedEx Cup standings and 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 against the United States at Hazeltine next year unless he joins.

However, the Tartan hero has indicated it is very much in his thoughts as he looked at the prospect of wearing European blue and representing his continent.

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Knox said: “Obviously, it’s going to be a goal of mine to make the European Ryder Cup team.

“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.”

Knox said he was “speechless” after the triumph, which came on the American-based player’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.

He added: “Winning any professional tournament is a massive accomplishment.

“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.

“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.

“I’m speechless. This is going to take a long time to sink in.”

Ten years ago, Knox moved from the Highlands 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.

Knox said: “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.

“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.

Knox said: “I was quite calm, actually, way more than normal to be honest.

“But at the same time, it was the most nerve-racking thing I’ve ever done.

“There’s just so many unbelievable players on tours all around the world and to win at this stage is a dream come true. I still can’t quite believe it.

“Deep down in my bones I felt I was capable of winning. I thought it was going to be maybe another year. But I’m glad it happened now.

“Winning any level is the hardest thing you can do, and especially because I’ve never won a big one like this. It was tough but I just kept holing putts, and golf is so much easier when that happens.”

Willett, meanwhile, piled the pressure on Rory McIlroy in The Race to Dubai with his stunning final round of 62.

The Englishman now moves onto next week’s BMW Masters with just a 74,214 point deficit to make up on McIlroy, who birdied his last hole to finish in a share of 11th place.

Willett said: “This could be a very big result for me.

“With Rory not playing next week, I could gain a few more points on him and give us a nice buzz going into the final week into Dubai.”

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McIlroy is relishing the prospect of fighting for the crown and added: “Danny’s got a great chance to do something next week.

“He’s obviously playing very well, so he has a great chance to creep up on me or even overtake me.

“But I still rate my chances. Dubai is a bit of a second home for me, plus I’m going for the double after winning there earlier in the season.

“I’m looking forward to it. I always enjoy it there, and I’ve obviously done well there before.

“So I just need to go there and try and get the win, and hopefully that will be enough.”