New Game, New Thinking: Colt Knost profile

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As part of the New Game, New Thinking series (click here to learn more), PGATOUR.COM freelance writer Rudy Klancnik profiles Colt Knost.

PGA TOUR rookies can talk all they want about their master plans for success at this level. They can talk about swing coaches, experienced caddies and making the mental adjustments to the big leagues. Then they find themselves in the lead in the final round... and the plan sometimes goes up in smoke. Colt Knost now knows that feeling, but as you'll see from our discussion, he's taking his less-than-satisfying experience in Houston to build on better things in the future.

PGATOUR.COM: Have you slept since the final round at the Shell Houston Open?

COLT KNOST: I was really, really disappointed afterward. It definitely took a couple of days to get over it. And I'm not sure I'm completely over it yet, but I do plan to take the good things out of that experience. Good things like the fact that I led one of the best fields on TOUR with 14 holes left to play. That gives me a ton of confidence, especially since I haven't been playing well coming in.

PGATOUR.COM: That was one challenging golf course, especially with the Texas wind. Was it just some loose shots or do you think the moment just got away from you?

KNOST: I don't feel like it was nerves or I was overwhelmed at all. I've played in several TOUR events before my rookie season so I'm accustomed to the surroundings to a large extent. Leading that late at this level was very encouraging, but I did hit a couple of loose shots and made some high numbers and that was it. The toughest thing to swallow was the fact that I needed only to shoot even par and I'm in the playoff.

PGATOUR.COM: You mentioned your early struggles this season. What changed in Houston?

KNOST: I got off to a great start for one thing. I was 6 under after eight holes. I don't think I've gotten through the first nine holes at any event under par. That was huge. I actually didn't think I'd have a great tournament in Houston because the course wasn't set up great for me. But I'll say this about Houston...I've never played a course that was set up better. That place was perfect.

PGATOUR.COM: When things started spinning in the wrong direction, did you feel that you had to force the issue on the back side?

KNOST: Yeah, I was trying to force birdies to get back into it and that's not the right path. You've got to stay patient out here and that's my biggest lesson from that experience. But it's over now and it's time to get better.

PGATOUR.COM: The Texas wind is something you're no doubt familiar with growing up in Pilot Point (Texas) and then playing golf at SMU. Do you feel that gives you an advantage?

KNOST: Not when it's blowing like it was in Houston, but sure, I feel like I can play in wind. I play a lot of practice rounds with Justin Leonard and I've tried to emulate his game. He's helped me a ton and he's a great guy to learn the ins and outs of the TOUR.

PGATOUR.COM: While your golf resume is filled with some pretty nice accomplishments, you really haven't been playing very long.

KNOST: I've probably played in a tenth of the tournaments that most of these guys have. I started pretty late in life with golf. I didn't pick up a club until I was 12 and played in my first tournament at 16. I've really only played competitive golf for seven years, so I've got a ton yet to learn.

PGATOUR.COM: What was the moment that you knew you could compete at this level?

KNOST: When I shot 64 in the second round at the HP Byron Nelson Championship, which was the low round of the tournament, I knew I could do some damage out here. I then won the U.S. Amateur and had a great summer. My confidence was out of control.

PGATOUR.COM: You're something of a gym rat when it comes to practicing and playing rounds of golf. How much is too much?

KNOST: I would play every day if I could. I love this stuff. But my body and mind just can't take it after several tournaments in a row. I think my limit is four in a row. After that, I get a little cranky and it's just not the results I want.

PGATOUR.COM: Surely, it's not all work and no play for a young Dallas guy like yourself?

KNOST: Not at all. I enjoy hanging with my friends and enjoy occasional trips to Vegas. Blackjack and craps are my favorite games. But golf is my focus. In fact, I'm driving to the TPC Four Seasons at Las Colinas (site of the Byron Nelson) right now to play this morning.

PGATOUR.COM: Who's money are you going to take out there?

KNOST: Hopefully, I'll take a little from Tony Romo. I'm playing with him today.

PGATOUR.COM: Tony Romo, as in the Tony Romo of Cowboys and Jessica Simpson fame?

KNOST: Yep, we've been friends for a while and he loves playing. And he's good, too. I give him five shots and he'll come in with a 75. I barely beat him last time we played. That guy could probably play at the next level if he focused on it. But I'm glad he's the Cowboys quarterback since I'm a huge fan of the Boys.

PGATOUR.COM: Do you think QBs are better golfers than hockey guys?

KNOST: No, I'd say hockey players are the best. I've played with several of the Dallas Stars and Brett Hull and Mike Modano are excellent sticks. Hull and I won the Wayne Gretzky pro-am at a Nationwide Tour event in Canada last year.

PGATOUR.COM: Did you ever consider another sporting path?

KNOST: When I started playing golf as a kid, I was hooked and left everything else alone. I think G.A. Moore was the last person to ask me to play football in high school. And if you know something about Texas high school football, you know G.A. Moore is a legend in the state and especially around Pilot Point.

PGATOUR.COM: Well, I happen to know a lot about Texas high school football and know that G.A. Moore is a football god. Do you think Pilot Point will ever erect a statue or billboard to honor your golf accomplishments?

KNOST: They did have some stuff up when I won the Amateur, but they've taken that down. We'll have to see if any statues show up in downtown Pilot Point. That would be crazy.

PGATOUR.COM: Did getting in contention on the weekend make you even more driven to get back into that position again?

KNOST: Absolutely. I want to win every week. Anyone who knows me knows I'm not out here just to make cuts. I want to be in contention and have the shot at winning every time I walk on the course.

(Conversation is on hold as Colt orders a multi-grain bagel, bottled water and some fruit before reaching the golf course)

PGATOUR.COM: So where are you right now? Sounds like you're off to a healthy start today.

KNOST: Chick-fil-A. I need some good food before I take on Romo. I'm definitely watching what I eat so I can keep getting better. No hash browns this morning.

PGATOUR.COM: Romo probably just climbed out of bed, downed an energy drink and it sitting at the first tee waiting your arrival.

KNOST: That guy's soft. He's going down today.