The Open: Bad day sees Forrest miss cut

HE wasn’t the first and certainly won’t be the last. It was understandable, though, that Grant Forrest saw his dream debut in the Open Championship end in disappointment after such a promising start.

A second-round 86 – 13 shots more than his opening effort – left the Scottish Amateur champion from Craigielaw well below the cut on 17-over-par. “Everything went wrong today – I didn’t play well and got some bad breaks,” confessed the 20-year-old afterwards.

At the par-5 ninth, for instance, a 7-iron “for safety” took a big bounce and ended up out of bounds over the wall. “I tried not to approach the round any differently to Thursday, but, 
sub-consciously, I probably put more pressure on myself,” he added. “I can’t remember the last time I shot 86, which is a bit embarrassing, but it’s been a great experience for me.”

He’s off to Ganton next week for a pre-Home Internationals get-together before heading to Blairgowrie on Monday week to defend his Scottish Amateur title. “I’ve learned a lot by watching the professionals and how they go about their business,” insisted the East Lothian man. “I feel that I have as good a game as a lot of these guys.”

Playing partner Mark O’Meara said it had been a learning experience for Forrest. “I felt bad for him as he didn’t play very well,” said the 1998 champion, “but he’s got good skills and he’ll be alright.”

Two of Forrest’s amateur compatriots have been left to fight it out for the Silver Medal over the weekend. British Boys’ champion Matthew Fitzpatrick from Chester and Jimmy Mullen from Devon were amongst the 85 qualifiers, both sitting on five-over.