Scotland’s Russell Knox got his quest for a place among golf’s elite off to a flying start by claiming stage one of the US PGA Tour's qualifying school in Florida.

The Inverness golfer came from four shots off the lead to win by three shots with a six-under 66 at St Johns.

Jacksonville University graduate Knox, who has earned £60,000 on the third-tier NGA Hooters Tour this year, will lead the top 22 qualifiers into next month’s second stage.

"I'm more prepared for q-school than I was last year, where I didn't play well at stage two," said Knox.

"I've got a great support group behind me and I've been playing better in every part of my game this year."

Fellow Scot Ross Bain’s q-school challenge fell at the first hurdle after he finished seven shots off a qualifying berth at the Dayton Valley event in Nevada.