It’s just the start on a long road, in a scenario that could hardly have been more favourable, but Grant Forrest showed at the Alfred Dunhill Links that he has the right stuff to make it as a European Tour pro.
The 23-year-old Scot finished tied for 41st in his professional debut, a 66 on the Old Course on Saturday getting him into the final day, and finishing in near perfect style, spinning back a pitching wedge from 81 yards to just a couple of rolls of the cup at the 18th.
A 71 for a six-under total and a cheque for around £25,000 was a pretty good week’s work for the former Scottish Amateur champion in his first tournament playing for money, but he’s level headed enough to know there’s still a long way to go.
The Dunhill was an ideal starting point for him, played on familiar ground – he won the St Andrews Links Trophy on the Old Course in 2014, and reached the Amateur Championship final last year at Carnoustie – in typical Scottish conditions and with friendly pro-am pins.
Yet this first event – he was given an invitation to play by the sponsors – was played between the ears as much as with the clubs, and he came through that with flying colours.
“It is a big confidence boost,” he agreed. “It is different to when you are playing as an amateur when there is a bit less pressure. When you turn pro you really want to make an impact.
“I expected to be nervous and I think when you know you are going to be nervous it helps; when it catches you off guard it can play with you a bit. But it helped being comfortable on courses that I am familiar with.”
Nerves for the final day knocked him out of his rhythm a little but he fought through that with his fine finish, even though he actually holed that same shot in 2014 for an eagle two on his way to his Links Trophy win.
Even then, seeing Tyrell Hatton, who he knows from their amateur days, streaking ahead at the top of the leaderboard highlighted how much he still has to do.
“The standard is really high,” he said. “The scores are out there but you still have to go do it for three or four rounds.
“It was good to make a cut straight off but it is also good to see how much room you have for improvement.
“I just want to build on this. I will evaluate what is coming up and look to improve. I’ve got a Challenge Tour event hopefully, then Stage 2 of Q School and I’ll get away this winter for some preparation.”
