It’s Worth the wait for Grant
Scots tames Burma Road course on debut
GRANT FORREST wasted no time in setting about Wentworth’s Burma Road course as he carded a threeunder 69 on his debut there yesterday.
The Scot birdied the three par-5s as he ended up just outside the top 10 on the opening day of the £5.42million BMW PGA Championship.
England’s Tyrrell Hatton, South African Justin Harding and Spain’s Adri Aranaus head the field on six-under 66, while Open champion Shane Lowry is among a group a shot further back.
Forrest was delighted with his showing after battling rain squalls and blustery high winds.
He said: “My game felt really good as it was playing quite tough and long. You needed to hit a lot of solid golf shots and I was able to do that so I am really happy.
“I’ve not been here before and today was a bit more unpredictable, but I attacked at the right times.”
Forrest, bidding to join Colin Montgomerie and Scott Drummond as a Scots winner of the European Tour’s flagship event this century, added: “Wentworth has always been a special place and to finally get to drive into the estate and stand on the opening tee has been fantastic.
“I really enjoyed it out there as it’s a great golf course. It was playing a lot different to the usual so it was almost helpful for me not having seen the course before.”
Next best of the Scots is Richie Ramsay who posted a 71, while David Law had to settle for a level par 72 after doublebogeying the 17th. Stephen Gallacher and
Robert MacIntyre posted 73s, one better than David Drysdale and Marc Warren and two clear of Scott Jamieson, who had a triple-bogey at the seventh.
Hatton is desperate to lift the trophy here to have more good memories of the event.
The Englishman, who had and five birdies, grew up nearby and often came to watch as a kid.
He said: “My dad used to bring me up here, it was one of my favourite things to do when I was a kid so that’s what makes this week so special.
“One memory that springs to mind is Vijay Singh almost taking me out on 18 when he blocked it right and thankfully he just missed us and we’re able to stand here today!
“To lift the trophy here is definitely a goal of mine and hopefully I can play well the next few days and give myself the chance to do that. That would be very special.”