Colt Knost gets to sleep in his own bed for two straight weeks – and that’s a rare thing for a professional golfer. The Pilot Point native and Dallas resident is in town to play in both the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial this week and the AT&T Byron Nelson Championship next week. So I took the opportunity to sit down with him at breakfast for a quick Q&A…
ScoreBoardTX: Colt first of all thanks for taking the time to do this in the middle of a busy week.
Colt Knost: Not a problem at all.
SBTX: So what’s it like to be able to be home for the next couple weeks instead of hopping around the country?
CK: It’s a nice break from the road for sure. And I get to play courses that I’m very familiar with.
SBTX: How many times have you played the course at Colonial?
CK: Well it’s my 5th time playing in the tournament but I’d guess I’ve probably played the course 60 or so times.
SBTX: And the Byron/TPC Four Seasons?
CK: It will be my 9th Byron Nelson and I’ve probably played the course 100 times.
SBTX: Which course suits your game better?
CK: Definitely the Colonial. It’s a course that you have to use strategy to play well. My strengths are accuracy off the tee and my short game and that fits Colonial (Note: Colt is currently ranked 7th in driving accuracy on the PGA). I’m not a huge hitter which is more helpful for the Byron Nelson where others can over power the course.
SBTX: So when did young Colt Knost first pick up a golf club?
CK: I didn’t start playing until I was 14. I pretty much played all sports as a kid and knew I wanted to make a career out of sports, and figured golf would be my best chance.
SBTX: That’s pretty crazy that you started at 14, won state in Division 3A at 18, got a scholarship to play at SMU and by the time you were 22 you were the U.S. Amateur champ. That’s quite a progression in only 8 years. What was it that got you started playing?
CK: My buddies played golf in the town I grew up in. I just picked it up with them one day and ran with it.
SBTX: Ok, so I have to ask about Jordan Spieth since he’ll be back home both weeks as well and there will undoubtedly be huge crowds following him at both tournaments. Do you know him well?
CK: Oh yeah, I’ve known Jordan forever it seems. What you see with Jordan is what you get – he really is that great of a kid. When I’m with him I sometimes forget how young he actually is still. He’s incredibly mature for his age so it’s easy to forget he’s only 21.
SBTX: Ok, Colt, besides yourself who should we be watching the next couple weeks?
CK: Well Jordan is always going to be in the mix. And I think the Colonial sets up nicely for a guy like Zach Johnson too. And the Byron fits the style of guys like Dustin Johnson and Jason Day.
SBTX: Colt thanks so much for your time and good luck in Ft. Worth and Las Colinas the next two weeks.
CK: No prob and I appreciate it.
