Forrest hopes to draw on past

A young golfer playing in his first Open as a professional is supposed to be the one on the hunt for tips and advice wherever he can find it, writes Eric Nicolson.

In Grant Forrest’s case, however, perhaps he should be the one dishing it out.

There won’t be many in the field with as extensive experience of playing the Angus links as the Craigielaw man, given the fact that he made it through a long week of golf at the Amateur Championship here in 2015.

Losing a 36-hole final to Frenchman Romain Langasque denied Forrest a place in that year’s Open but, now that he’s qualified for the 2018 tournament, the course knowledge garnered in competition three years ago will stand him in good stead.

“This is one of my favourite courses so it’s good to be back,” he said.

“I got to the final in the Amateur here three years ago so I must have played it 10 or 11 times that week.

“I played really nicely the week of the Amateur so it’s good to have those memories to draw on.

“The more you play somewhere, the better.

“Carnoustie is all in front of you but it definitely helps to have played the course a few times.

“It was fairly firm then but nothing like this. You still have to hit good golf shots. The greens are receptive enough and you can keep the ball on the fairways, so it’s a fair enough test.”

This isn’t Forrest’s first Open. He qualified for Muirfield in 2013 so teeing it up as pro, who is starting to make a name for himself on the Challenge Tour, shouldn’t feel too daunting.

“Playing in an Open is what you dream of growing up,” said the 25-year-old.

“Having played one before as an amateur has prepared me a bit.

“I already know what the first-tee nerves are like. That’s different to anything I’ve ever experienced.

“Nerves are a good thing. It’s just great to be here.

“It felt a bit different signing in as a pro rather than as an amateur.

“I’ve got a couple of years of tour golf behind me. It’s not new to me this time.”

Forrest, who qualified at the Renaissance Club along with fellow Scot Sam Locke, has played enough professional golf now to know that projecting too far ahead into the championship isn’t a sensible plan.

“I’ll just be trying to hit good golf shots and take the rest of the stuff out,” he said.

“There are quite a few people from Craigielaw coming up, as well as family and friends.

“It will be good to have home support.”

There aren’t many Scots for company at Carnoustie for Forrest but that isn’t his concern.

“I don’t feel more pressure being one of only five Scots,” he pointed out.

“For me, it’s just a great opportunity to prove myself more than anything.”

Picture: SNS Group Forrest on the 1st yesterday.