EAST Lothian’s top golfer had a tough weekend on the links as he missed the cut at the Genesis Scottish Open for the first time.

The Haddington man had been looking to keep up his great record at The Renaissance Club, where he had performed well the last three times the tournament had been played at the course, near Dirleton.

Forrest (pictured, by Gordon Bell) teed up alongside ex-PGA champion Keegan Bradley and Swede Alexander Bjork in the sun-baked conditions as the event welcomed co-sanctioning with the PGA Tour for the first time.

He got under way from the 10th tee on Thursday, starting off steadily with four pars in the opening four holes despite the breezy conditions, then dropping his first shot on the par-three 14th after a disappointing three putt from the back of the green.

From there, Forrest was battling against himself; even slightly wayward tee-shots were getting punished as the difficult breeze and tight fairways brought the rough into play.

East Lothian Courier: Grant Forrest was among those in action at the Scottish Open. Picture: Gordon BellGrant Forrest was among those in action at the Scottish Open. Picture: Gordon Bell

The Scot made two great up-and-down saves at 15 and 16 before coming close for birdie on 17, but he would drop another shot on the 18th to head to the turn at two-over-par.

His back nine was much of the same for the county man, birdie-ing the par-five 3rd to get back to one-over before making bogey at the next two after finding himself in tight spots off the tee.

Forrest scrambled well towards the end of his round, making two long par saves on 7 and 8, but would bogey the last to finish four over for the day.

The wind picked up on Friday but Forrest battled well in the tough conditions to post a solid 72; however, he would miss the cut by three.

Making birdie at each of the par-fives, a scorecard sprinkled with bogeys meant that making his fourth consecutive cut at the Scottish Open was a step too far.

East Lothian Courier: Grant Forrest was among those in action at the Scottish Open. Picture: Gordon BellGrant Forrest was among those in action at the Scottish Open. Picture: Gordon Bell

He told Courier Sport: “I am disappointed, it was such a big event and to miss the cut at home made it tougher than normal.

“It was one of those days where nothing really goes your way and the score didn’t reflect the way I played.

“The damage was done on the Thursday and the wind got up on Friday afternoon, making it tough to shoot under par.”

Despite his personal disappointment, Forrest was delighted to be involved in the event, praising the crowd numbers and the big names that turned out.

He said: “It’s great for the area. The Scottish Open has always been a big tournament but getting the PGA Tour on board – it was like the Scottish Open on steroids!

“It was great for people to get out and watch the best players in the world.”