Henry and Forrest off to flying starts in Ras Al Khaimah
Led by Scott Henry and backed up by Grant Forrest, it was a promising start for the Scottish contingent in the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Challenge in the United Arab Emirates.
On a day when England’s Max Orrin and Swede Pontus Widegren set the pace with seven-under 65s – a new course record at Al Hamra – Henry and Forrest each produced flawless performances to sit in good positions. Henry, who finished third in the Hainan Open in China a fortnight ago, signed for six birdies in his 66, one less than Forrest, who is making his first appearance on the Challenge Tour since turning professional last month.
“It was good and no bogeys is always nice,” said Henry of his effort. “The problem for me lately is that while I’ve been playing well I’ve also been throwing in three of four bogeys that kill the card.”
The 29-year-old Clydebank man is sitting 29th in this season’s Road to Oman, which reaches its conclusion with next week’s Grand Final in Muscat. The top 15 on the money list secure European Tour cards for next season, with Henry needing a strong performance either this week or next week to have any chance of joining compatriot Duncan Stewart among this year’s graduates.
“I probably need to win one of these last two tournaments to secure a card,” admitted Henry, who narrowly failed to hang on to his European Tour one in 2013 and fell three spots short of getting it back 12 months ago. “It’s probably a good frame of mind to be in as it means I can just play aggressive and I always seem to play my best golf when that is the case.”
Riding on the crest of a wave after such an encouraging professional debut, having finished 41st in the Dunhill Links, Forrest was also pleased with his opening salvo in the desert. Out in the second group of the day, the 23-year-old picked up birdies at the second, fifth, sixth and eighth to reach the turn in four-under 32 before then birdeing the 12th.
“It’s been a good start to my pro career and I’m rolling on a bit of confidnce from the Dunhill Links,” admitted Forrest afterwards. “I drove the ball really well and that made life a lot easier.”
Three other Scots – Stewart, Ross Kellett and David Law – added to the good day’s work by the Caledonian contingent as they all shot 68s to sit just outside the top 10.
Elsewhere, Graham Fox moved into second, three behind leader Matt Cort, after the third round of the PGA Play-offs at Saunton in Devon. Fox, who is attached to Clydeway Golf, carded a 68 for a four-under 209 total.