The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Forsyth out to end long wait
Former winner targets title at Downfield 19 years on from last success
Alastair Forsyth has his sights set on bridging a big gap on the Tartan Tour for the second time this season after moving to the top of the leaderboard in a weather-hit second round in the Scottish PGA Championship at Downfield.
The two-time European Tour winner followed up at opening 70 at the Dundee venue with a 68 on a day when heavy rain forced play to be suspended at one point and left a number of players still to complete their second circuit.
They include Paul O’Hara and Graham Fox, the two overnight leaders, with Forsyth, who is attached to Mearns Castle Golf Academy, having set the clubhouse target along with Gleneagles Hotel player Thomas Higson, who added a second 69.
Forsyth, who holds the Downfield course record after carding a blistering 11-under-par 62 in a pro-am in 2016, made his score on this occasion with an early burst of four birdies on the spin after starting at the 10th.
He was flying after also picking up shots at the 17th and second before dropping his only shot of the day at the par-three third, which he followed with six pars to finish.
“The rain came on really heavy and I managed a couple of pars before the suspension,” he said.
“I didn’t really get going after the restart, but hopefully I’ll be right in the mix going into last two rounds.
“I’ve probably had the worst side of the draw, but that’s golf!
“I’ve always liked the course and it’s in great shape.”
The 43-year-old is bidding to complete a notable double on the PGA in Scotland circuit this season after already winning the Northern Open at Newmachar earlier in the year.
“It would be great as those are our biggest tournaments,” added the man who also stormed to a runaway success in the PGA Professional Championship at Hunstanton in Norfolk in June.
“It was great to win the Northern Open 20 years after the first time and it’s 19 years since I won this!”
Higson, who is developing a nice habit of making his presence felt on leaderboards in the big events on the circuit, backed up a bogey-free opening effort with a round that contained five birdies.