By John Haughey BBC Sport

WALKER CUP ON THE BBC Saturday 8 September From 1300 BST; BBC ONE, TWO & BBCi Sunday 9 September From 1200 BST; BBC TWO & BBCi

Knost, who moved to number one in the world amateur rankings after his recent US Amateur triumph, rates the Newcastle course as the best he has ever played.

"I've played Pebble Beach, the Olympic Club, Merion but this one is pretty unbelievable," Knost told BBC Sport.

"No hole is alike out there and it's very, very challenging."

Knost comes into bienniel match after a sensational year on the amateur circuit in the US.

The Southern Methodist University student added the US Amateur title at the Olympic Club in San Francisco to his earlier triumph at the prestigious US Public Links Championship.

"I haven't lost a USGA matchplay game this year and I'm feeling really good about my game but I've got to get my feet from under me.

I could turn pro next week but there's no way I'll stay amateur any longer than the Masters Colt Knost

"I'm feeling pretty worn out from (winning the US Amateur) a couple of weeks ago but I'll be ready to go come Saturday."

The Texan is certain to take the plunge into the pro ranks within the next eight months with the likelihood that his appearance as the Masters in April will be his final amateur event.

"I'm going to decide when I get back (after the Walker Cup). I could turn pro next week but there's no way I'll stay amateur any longer than the Masters.

"I can qualify for the US Open every year and the British Open every year but qualifying for the Masters is a little different deal."

By modern standards, Knost is something of a late bloomer as he didn't pick up a golf club until the age of 12.

"My first tournament was when I was 16. I have been playing six years of competitive golf and compared to most of these guys, it's not that many.

"I played everything growing up - basketball, football, baseball - and then realised that golf was going to be the best thing for me.

"I got to scratch within three years. I knew I wanted to play professional sport and it turned out golf was going to be my best way."

The late Payne Stewart was a graduate of Southern Methodist University and Knost's stint at the Dallas third level institution has also helped to hone his golfing skills.

You can't scrape it around out here Colt Knost

"I am also getting coached in Dallas by Randy Smith who is one of the best teachers in the US. I've been working with him five years and it's been going really, really well."

Growing up in Texas, Knost is not unfamiliar with windy conditions and he confesses that he would not be unduly fazed by the wind "getting up to 20 or 30 mile an hour this weekend".

But wind or no wind, he is certain that Royal County Down will present the stars of the future with a stiff test on Saturday and Sunday.

"Today the weather was perfect but it still was quite tough," he said after his morning practice round on Tuesday.

"You have to hit so many different shots. You can't scrape it around out here. You miss-hit a shot and you're going to pay the penalty for it.

"You miss the fairway and you've got to get lucky to get a lie.

"You can hit it in a gorse bush and you're done. You've got to re-tee. It's tough.

"The greens have got quite a bit of movement in them but they are perfect. All in all, it's going to be a good test."