Grant Forrest thrilled the home crowds with a birdie-birdie finish to claim his maiden European Tour title on home soil at the 2021 Hero Open.
The Scotland native entered the day in St Andrews tied for the lead with compatriot Calum Hill, and for much of Sunday’s finale it was back and forth between the two native sons.
But then Englishman James Morrison signed for a 63, and set the target on 23 under – at the time, one clear of Forrest, who had just finished the 16th hole.
On the 17th tee, the 28-year-old Scot hit his tee shot to four feet of the pin on the par-3 hole, leading to a birdie and a tie for the lead. Forrest then two putted from 30 feet for birdie on the par-5 finishing hole to take the title by a shot with a 66 and 24-under par total.
“There are so many emotions,” said Forrest, who pocketed €189,530 and 335 Race to Dubai points with his victory.
“To do it in front of everyone who has come up to support me – the last year and a half has been a real challenge on and off the course so I’m just delighted.
“We’ve been through quite a lot as a family and to do it here, it’s what I’ve always dreamed of to win on the European Tour. I think there’s a big party at the in-laws tonight.
“I saw the scoreboard and I knew what I needed to do. Our big thing all day was one shot at a time, let’s just keep hitting shots and I hit a great nine iron into 17 nice and close, and that really helps, and then two great shots into 18 – it was a great way to finish.”
Spaniard Santiago Tarrio birdied two of his final three holes to post 68 and secure the bronze on 21 under, a shot clear of Hill (70) and a third Scot in David Law (68) who rounded out the top-5 finishers.
2021 Hero Open
Leaderboard: Top-10
Pos-Player-To Par (Rd 4)
1. Grant Forrest -24 (-6)
2. James Morrison -23 (-9)
3. Santiago Tarrio -21 (-4)
4. David Law -20 (-4)
4. Calum Hill -20 (-2)
6. Chase Hanna -17 (-3)
6. Matthew Jordan -17 (-2)
8. Niall Kearney -16 (-6)
8. Justin Walters -16 (-3)
10. Six Players Tied -15
Material from European Tour Media was used to compile this report.
