Grant Forrest led the Scottish charge on the Challenge Tour in 2018, finishing the season as the Road to Ras Al Khaimah Number Seven – the highest-ranked player from his home country — despite not lifting a trophy all year.
In his second full season on Europe’s top developmental circuit the North Berwick resident established himself as one of the hottest prospects to watch on the European Tour next year as he steadily compiled an impressive record of results.
Across 20 appearances, the 25 year old recorded an astounding three runner-up finishes, as well as a solo third, which contributed to his overall total of seven top ten showings.
Of the runner-up results, two of them came in head-to-head competition. In May, Forrest advanced all the way to the finals of the Andalucía – Costa del Sol Match Play 9 before falling to compatriot Liam Johnston on the final hole of the innovative format.
A month later, Forrest found himself in a play-off with Welshman Stuart Manley at the Hauts de France Golf Open. There, he very nearly holed a 55-foot birdie putt up and over a tier on the green to win on the first extra hole. It was not to be in the end, and he eventually fell to Manley on the third hole of overtime.
In China, Forrest put his firepower on full display during the first round of the Hainan Open. Teeing off the back nine, the former Walker Cup winner opened with par-birdie-eagle-eagle before making the turn in 28 and going on to sign for a season-best ten under par round of 62.
A solid final three rounds were enough to better all but one player, Finland’s Kalle Samooja, and so, the University of San Diego graduate was forced to settle for yet another close call.
Although Forrest came just shy of lifting a trophy in 2018, he has now progressed to the European Tour where many believe he could be the next Scottish winner.
