In this week's Hurricane Exclusive, Jason Hiland interviews PGA Tour Player Colt Knost. 

 

HG: The last 2 seasons on the PGA Tour have been really solid.  What can you attribute your success to?  Or I guess I should ask what have you been doing better in 2015 and 2016 that you may not have been doing earlier in your career?

 

Colt: I believe most of it is just me maturing as a player and a person. It's such a different life style and some guys adapt faster than others. Not everyone is a Jordan Spieth or a Rickie Fowler. People forget it took Matt Kuchar a little while to get comfortable and turn into the player he is today. I've reached a point in my career where I feel like a belong and I am very comfortable on Tour.

 

HG: What equipment changes have you made for the 2017 season and what improvements have you saw with any new equipment that has gone in the bag?  Also any new shafts for this season and if so what models? 

 

Colt: I'm not a big fan of changing equipment unless I see a substantial benefit in the new product. This is absolutely the case with the new Callaway Epic GBB driver. I picked up 3 mph of ball speed which is huge for a guy that doesn't hit as far as most on TOUR. It's by far the best driver I have ever played!

 

HG: Your amateur career had 2 huge highlights in 2007 (United States Amateur and United States Public Links) with one being very close to where I live at Cantigny Golf Club in Wheaton, IL.  What are your memories of winning those events and as time goes on do those victories and that stretch of golf you played in 2007 really stand out for you in your golf career? …like a fine bottle of wine that gets better with age?

 

Colt: Those were obviously two very special weeks for me and something that I will always look back on as something great I did in my career. What I remember most is probably the confidence I had in my game that whole summer. I qualified for the AT&T Byron Nelson earlier that year where I played pretty well for the most part and it really boosted my confidence. I played almost mistake free golf the entire Pub Links tournament and was never really threatened the whole week. As for the US Amateur, I remember going into the week with people telling me how perfect Olympic Club was for me and I should do really well. Hearing that and then having the confidence I did in my game just set up for a great week for me. I never once had a doubt in my mind the entire week that I was going to lose a match. I knew I was the best player teeing it up that week

 

HG: If you had to pick 3 courses to play golf on for the rest of your life what courses would make that list and why? 

 

Colt: Pebble Beach. Friars Head. Royal County Down.  All for the same reason, they are some of the most beautiful courses in the world and also very strong tests. It's hard to ever beat Pebble Beach on a beautiful day. Friars Head is one that some people may have never heard of but it is absolutely amazing. It was built in 1999 and looks like it has been there forever. Royal County Down is special to me because of the Walker Cup.  It is a gorgeous place and by far my favorite course across the pond.

 

HG: You are known on tour to be one the guys who likes to have a good time (when appropriate of course) and find a good scene.  So my hypothetical question is the following.  If you were back home in Dallas and you could grab 3 other guys from the PGA TOUR for a day of golf, dinner and a few cocktails what 3 guys would you take (and why these 3) that would be hands down the most fun and what course would you guys play?

 

Colt: Tough one! But I would have to go with Gary Woodland, Graham Delaet, and Kevin Kisner. We all like to have a good time and all talk a lot of trash. There would not be very many quiet moments that's for sure! We would definitely tee it up at Royal Oaks CC if in Dallas.

 

 

HG: My final question is this.  Has Jordan and the boys invited you yet to go on #SB2K17 in the Bahamas and if you are asked will you go and could you still keep up?!

 

Colt: Hahaha not yet. They definitely have a good time on those trips!  I would be 50/50 if I would go or not. It would be tough to turn down. And let's get one thing straight here, I'm the veteran here! Those little boys have no chance of keeping up with me!