Grant Forrest tees up pre-Christmas visit to Augusta before dream Masters debut

Grant Forrest has teed up an early Christmas present for himself - a visit to Augusta National in preparation for his dream debut in The Masters next April.

The 33-year-old secured his first trip up Magnolia Lane, as well an appearance in The Open at St Andrews next year, through winning the DP World Tour’s Open de Espana in Madrid last month.

Having already teed up in The Open, Forrest is particularly excited about the chance to play in the Green Jacket event in Georgia, and he is heading there on a reconnaissance - and shopping - trip before the turn of the year.

Grant Forrest pictured with his caddie Shane O'Connell during the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai | Warren Little/Getty Images

“Yeah, I've got an Augusta trip planned before Christmas,” he revealed, speaking in Dubai during the DP World Tour Championship. “One of the guys I know from home knows a few members, so we're kindly being hosted just the week before Christmas, so it'll be a nice Christmas present (smiling).”

While winners of The Masters can turn up for a game at any time, other players who are exempt for the season’s opening major have to be invited by a member.

“I can raid the pro shop before April,” added Forrest of that extra perk. “You can get the actual Augusta National stuff, not The Masters stuff. Yeah, I think I'll be taking an empty suitcase and picking up a few Christmas presents.”

Forrest will be joining Bob MacIntyre, who played in both 2021 and 2022 then again in 2025 and 2026, in flying the Saltire in the event’s 91st edition on 8-11 April.

“I was there in 2019 as a spectator on Thursday, so I've had sort of one experience of being on the grounds, but obviously getting to play it is another thing altogether,” said Forrest. “I think the more times you've played it before April the better and, yeah, it's exciting.”

Before heading to Augusta next month, Forrest is travelling to South Africa to start his 2027 DP World Tour schedule in the Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player before also teeing up in the AfrAsia Mauritius Open the following week.

“Nedbank is a no-cut event at the start of the season and it's a good chance to get a head start to the year,” said the three-time DP World Tour winner. “Mauritius is usually a week later but, with the Alfred Dunhill Championship being moved to February, it's a bit better finishing on 13 December as opposed to the 20th or 21st, which is a bit too close to Christmas.

“I would love to go to Australia (where the new season starts with a double-header with the BMW Australian PGA Championship and Capital.one Australian Open) but the travel is so far. Then you've got a no-cut event (against the Australian Open) and it's a bit of a no-brainer, to be honest.”