Good Knight
- Updated: August 2, 2017
Former UNA golfer wins Alabama Open with final-round course record 61, heading to Cane Creek for FMCU Pro-Invitational with confidence
ALABAMA OPEN
Final Leaderboard
Forrest Knight, Jemison -13
Scott Strohmeyer, Auburn -12
Todd Bailey, Daphne -9
Zach Portemont, Fairhope -7
a-Tyler Hitchner, Tuscaloosa -6
a-Brandon Lacasse, Hanceville -5
Glenn Northcutt, Dothan -2
Jeff Jordan, Mountain Brk -2
a-Ike Alexander, Florence -1
Patrick Twesme, Florence -1
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
PRATTVILLE — Forrest Knight is coming to the Fort McClellan Credit Union Pro-Invitational riding a huge wave of confidence.
The Jemison pro shot a Senator Course-record bogey-free 11-under-par 61 Wednesday to win the Alabama Open Presented by Yamaha at RTJ-Capitol Hill. It was the former University of North Alabama All-America’s second straight win since turning pro earlier this summer.
Knight shot a three-day total 13-under 203 (72-70-61) and won by a shot over Auburn’s Scott Strohmeyer (73-65-66). At one point in the middle of the round Knight had five birdies in a row and seven in an eight-hole stretch. He made 13 birdies over his last 22 holes of the tournament.
He started the day eight shots out of the lead. His other win as a pro came in an Emerald Coast Tour one-day event at the Auburn University Club on July 11.
“It was about as good as it gets,” Knight said. “It was like every putt I hit went in and every shot was pretty close. My confidence is about as high as it can be right now.”
Knight, 23, made an 18-foot birdie putt on 18 to get to 11-under for the day and then had to wait to see if it held up. Strohmeyer was playing in the group behind him and needed to birdie to force a playoff, but made par.
“I thought I did everything I could today,” Knight said. “Even if I didn’t win it was good, but it turned out to be good enough. I didn’t know what they were behind us, but ever time I turned around they were sticking it close.
“There were a little nerves (as he waited), but for the most part I was still a little in shock.”
Glenn Northcutt of Dothan, who also is expected to be in this weekend’s pro field, shot a final-round 71 and finished tied for seventh with former Jacksonville State All-American Jeff Jordan of Mountain Brook.
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