Grant Forrest has eased to victory on home soil in Scotland for the second time in his career with his four-shot success at the Nexo Championship at the Trump International Links in Aberdeenshire.
Forrest, who lifted his maiden tour title at St Andrews four years ago, took control despite windy conditions over the weekend and asserted his dominance over the field.
Holding a three-shot advantage heading into Sunday’s final round, the 32-year-old briefly saw his lead get trimmed to two after Todd Clements’ birdie on the opening hole.
But when he birdied the fourth and Clements carded a triple-bogey eight at the same hole, the Scot led by five and never looked back.
The world No.294 added two more birdies and a dropped shot before even being able to afford a double-bogey at the last, settling for a closing 72 to finish with an eight-under-par total.
“It’s amazing, just speechless,” Forrest said. “I think it is the same week as I won four years ago on the calendar so just amazing, that must say something about this week and being at home.
“I just can’t believe it. It’s been such a tough year on the golf course. It’s just a crazy game that you can go and come out and do this, with what feels out of nowhere.
“It’s just that old chestnut that one week can turn things around — and it has.”
Joe Dean parred the last nervelessly to claim solo second at four under, with John Parry a shot further behind alongside Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan and Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen.
Australian David Micheluzzi, who had earlier in the week had the honour of playing the first round on Donald Trump’s other, much trumpeted new course at the links, concluded with his third under-par round of the tournament, a one-under 71, to end up with a top-10 finish at level par.
Elvis Smylie had a 73 to end up at five over, tied for 31st place, while Jason Scrivener finished a shot further back in joint-42nd after his final-round 70.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/golf/scot-forrest-wins-european-tour-title-on-trump-links-c-19641430
