The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Grant steps up from caddie to competitor
LOCAL AMATEUR Grant Forrest will be playing for nothing at the Open despite the millions of pounds in the prize pot, writes Eric Nicolson.
In fact, the championship qualifier has already made more money on the Muirfield links than he will this week — not as a golfer, as a caddie.
The Scottish Amateur champion, who only has the Silver Medal for leading amateur to chase, explained: “I’d only played Muirfield two times before last week because it’s not the kind of course that you can just walk up to and get on.
“But I did do some caddying around here last summer, which was a great way of getting to know the course.
“It was just a way of making some extra money during the summer. Most of the visitors, the American tourists, who play here like to have a caddie so that worked out well for me.
“I think I was making £50 a round, plus tips, which wasn’t bad money. It was a good summer job.
“Now I’ve gone from carrying people’s bags round here to playing in the Open. It’s hard to believe, really but now that I’m here I want to make the most of my opportunity.”
The 20-year-old, who is a member at nearby Craigielaw, will make the acquaintance of another American this afternoon when he tees off with former Open and Masters champion Mark O’Meara.
It’s the sort of draw a young player dreams of.
“I was delighted when I heard I would be playing with Mark,” he admitted.
“He’s a guy who has won so much in the game, including the Open and I’m sure he’ll help calm me down if I need it.
“I’m expecting to be pretty nervous at the start because this is the biggest thing that has happened to me in golf. So to have someone of his experience will be great.
“If I see him on the range I’ll go up and introduce myself to him beforehand. It’ll be good to speak with him.”
Forrest, who is now based at San Diego University, added: “I’m looking forward to this so much.
“I only live five minutes away in North Berwick, so it is going to be really special to have all my family and friends here watching me.
“When I first qualified I was in a state of disbelief for a while but coming down last week to play a couple of practice rounds has helped me get my feet back on the ground. I’ve got a feel for it now and I am really looking forward to it.”