NEWLY crowned European Tour winner Grant Forrest has vowed to do what he can to add to his trophy haul.
The East Lothian star picked up the first European Tour victory of his career at the Hero Open at Fairmont St Andrews on Sunday evening.
The victory saw Forrest become the first Scotsman to win on home soil in almost a decade as he edged out England’s James Morrison.
Forrest, who turned professional in 2016 after an impressive amateur career, described the work that had gone into reaching this stage.
He said: “It is just so satisfying having put in so much work – all of us guys out there do.
“It is a life’s work to that point.
“I think people just see that one week or one day and all the success but it is such a journey to get there.
“There are ups and downs and I would say in golf there are probably more downs than ups.
“You really just have to savour these moments when they come along.
“It is tough to win out on tour and I am just glad to get across the line.
“I have been so close quite a few times on the Challenge Tour but, never having won, you start to doubt yourself sometimes and if you are ever going to get a win but I am just happy to get over the line.
“Once you have done it once, it stands you in good stead.”
The 28-year-old is no stranger to St Andrews, having previously won the St Andrews Links Trophy in 2014.
He told Courier Sport he had “good memories” of the Fife town and was joined by family and friends after winning the tournament over the weekend.
Two opening rounds of 68 had Forrest sitting tied for 17th at the halfway stage.
However, a stunning 10-under-par third round propelled him to the top of the leaderboard alongside fellow Scotsman Calum Hill.
Forrest, of Haddington, ranked that third round as among the best he had ever played.
He said: “It probably was among my best.
“Especially on the back nine, the wind really picked up.
“To shoot 10-under-par any day is a pretty special round but when the conditions are like that it is one of those days you are not going to come across too often.
“Fortunately for me, the timing was really good and put me from seven shots back after the second round to being tied for the lead.
“It was my first time as leader of a European Tour event going into the last round; it was a really special day.”
However, the final round would prove far from straightforward as Forrest and Hill traded blows on the front nine as they both made the turn in 33.
The turning point of the afternoon came on the 10th hole as Hill double-bogeyed the par four, with Forrest making birdie for a three-shot swing.
Forrest then birdied the 11th to move to 23-under-par and he was joined on that mark by Morrison, who made a late charge with a nine-under-par round of 63.
Forrest lost the lead after a bogey on the 16th but recovered with a birdie on the 17th and left himself a two-footer for birdie – and victory – on the 18th.
He then tapped in the putt in front of the home fans for a six-under-par round and a 24-under-par total, also securing the first Scottish win on home soil since Paul Lawrie triumphed at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles nine years ago in 2012. Morrison finished second, two strokes ahead of Spain’s Santiago Tarrio, who continued his incredible recent form with a 21-under-par round.
A delighted Forrest said afterwards: “So many emotions.
“To do it in front of everyone who has come up to support me. . . the last year and a half has been a real challenge on and off the course. I’m delighted, it’ll take a while to sink in.
“I hit a poor shot into 16 and tried to be a bit too safe and three putted; I saw the scoreboard and knew what I needed to do.
“The big thing all day was one shot at a time, just keep hitting shots.
“I hit a great nine iron into 17, nice and close, that really helps – and two great shots into 18, it was a great way to finish.
“It means so much. We’ve been through quite a lot as a family.
“To do it here. . . it’s what I’ve always dreamed of. . . winning a European Tour event. I can’t believe it.
“It’s one thing doing well in amateur golf but turning pro and doing it week in, week out on different golf courses, I’ve had to make a lot of improvements and changes to my game to get to this point.
“It’s just really fulfilling to see it come off this week.”
Forrest, who is attached to Craigielaw Golf Club, came into the tournament in mixed form.
At the beginning of July, he found himself tied for fourth at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, taking home €104,858.56.
However, he finished tied for 73rd at the abrdn Scottish Open, held at The Renaissance Club, and then missed the cut and finished tied for 110th at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational.
After claiming the €189,530 prize in Fife, Forrest said: “Golf’s a funny game: you never know when it’s going to click and when it’s going to be your week.
“Last week was the complete opposite – things didn’t go our way at all.
“You keep doing the right things, trusting that, and fortunately this week was our week.”
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