Grant Forrest
Grant Forrest (born 19 June 1993) is a Scottish professional golfer who competes on the DP World Tour.[1] He turned professional in 2016 after a distinguished amateur career and achieved his maiden DP World Tour victory at the 2021 Hero Open, becoming the first Scotsman to win on home soil in nearly a decade.[2] Forrest secured his second title at the 2025 Nexo Championship held at Trump International Golf Links Scotland.[3] Born in Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland, Forrest began playing golf at age five and developed his game at Craigielaw Golf Club.[1] As an amateur, he represented Scotland internationally from age 15 and amassed several national titles, including the 2009 Scottish Boys Under-16 Stroke Play, the 2010 Scottish Boys Championship, and the 2012 Scottish Amateur Championship.[1] He also contributed to Great Britain and Ireland's successful 2015 Walker Cup team, which defeated the United States 16.5–9.5 at Royal Lytham & St Annes, and played college golf at the University of San Diego.[2] Forrest made his major championship debut at the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield.[1] Forrest earned his DP World Tour card for the 2018 season by finishing eighth on the 2016 Challenge Tour rankings.[2] Since then, he has competed in 191 DP World Tour events, accumulating over €4.4 million in career earnings as of 2025.[2] Currently ranked 164th in the Official World Golf Ranking, he is attached to The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland.[4]Personal background
Early life
Grant Forrest was born on 19 June 1993 in Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland. He grew up in a supportive family environment, with his father, Graeme Forrest, who ran a successful painting and decorating business, playing a key role in introducing him to the sport of golf at an early age.[1][5] Graeme Forrest died of cancer in 2012.[5] Forrest began playing golf at the age of five, initially at Bathgate Golf Club near his family's home in West Lothian. His early experiences on the course were shaped by this local club, where he developed a foundational interest in the game before his family relocated to Gullane in East Lothian.[1][6][5] These formative years were influenced by initial coaching that helped refine his skills, starting with a handicap of eight at age 12, as well as participation in local junior competitions that ignited his passion for competitive golf.[7][2]Education
Grant Forrest attended Stewart's Melville College in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he balanced his academic studies with a burgeoning junior golf career. During his time at the school, he achieved significant success on the course, including winning the Scottish Boys Golf Championship in 2010 at the age of 16. This accomplishment highlighted his early talent while navigating the demands of secondary education.[8][9] Forrest continued his education and golf development at the University of San Diego (USD), enrolling in 2011 on a golf scholarship and graduating in 2015 with a degree in business. As a member of the Toreros men's golf team, he competed in the NCAA Division I circuit, advancing to regional tournaments such as the 2014 NCAA San Antonio Regional where he finished tied for 35th. His college experience provided international exposure, competing against top American amateurs and refining his game through rigorous collegiate competition. During his tenure at USD, Forrest won four collegiate events, contributing to his growth as a golfer.[8][10][2][11]Amateur career
Key achievements
Grant Forrest's amateur career was marked by several significant individual victories in Scottish national championships, establishing him as one of the country's top young golfers. In 2009, at the age of 16, he won the Scottish Boys' Under-16 Stroke Play Championship at Largs Golf Club, carding rounds of 71, 70, and 71 for a one-under-par total of 212, securing his first national title.[8][1] The following year, Forrest claimed the 2010 Scottish Boys Championship at West Kilbride Golf Club, defeating fellow Scottish international Ian Redford 3&2 in the 36-hole final to earn his second consecutive national boys' honor.[8][12][1] This victory highlighted his growing prowess in match play formats and contributed to his selection for junior international teams. Forrest's most notable achievement came in 2012 when he captured the Scottish Amateur Championship at Royal Dornoch Golf Club, overcoming Richard Docherty 9&7 in the 36-hole final just three weeks after the passing of his father from cancer.[13][2] This triumph marked his third national title and solidified his reputation as a resilient competitor on home soil. On the international stage, Forrest reached the final of the 2015 Amateur Championship at Carnoustie Golf Links, where he was defeated 4&2 by France's Romain Langasque in the 36-hole match, earning runner-up honors in one of golf's most prestigious amateur events.[14][15] This performance underscored his ability to compete at the highest level against global talent.Team representations
Grant Forrest represented Scotland in the European Amateur Team Championship in 2015 and 2016, contributing to back-to-back victories for his country in the prestigious event organized by the European Golf Association.[16] In 2015, held at Golfclub Murhof in Austria, Forrest played a key role alongside teammates including Ewen Ferguson, Robert MacIntyre, and Connor Syme, as Scotland won the qualification round and then defeated Denmark 4.5–2.5 in the final to secure the title. The following year in 2016 at Golf de Chantilly in France, he again featured prominently, helping Scotland overcome a challenging field to claim the championship with strong performances in both foursomes and singles matches, defeating Sweden 5–2 in the final.[17] Forrest also competed for Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I) in the Jacques Léglise Trophy, an annual boys' team match against the Continent of Europe, making appearances in 2010 and 2014. In 2010 at Castelconturbia Golf Club in Italy, the 17-year-old Forrest participated in the singles, contributing to GB&I's efforts in a 15.5–8.5 loss to Continent of Europe. By 2014, he was part of the winning GB&I squad at Barsebäck G&CC in Sweden, where the team triumphed 12.5–11.5, showcasing his growth in international junior competition.[18] In addition to the Jacques Léglise Trophy, Forrest represented GB&I in other junior international matches, including the biennial St Andrews Trophy against the Continent of Europe for players under 21. He was selected for the 2012 team at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, where GB&I lost 11.5–12.5, with Forrest partnering effectively in foursomes play.[19] Forrest returned for the 2014 match at Barsebäck G&CC in Sweden, helping secure a 14–10 victory. He also played in the 2016 match at Prince's GC in England, where the match was halved at 12.5–12.5 (GB&I retained the trophy), though Forrest lost his singles 2&1 to Spain's Ivan Cantero Gutierrez.[19][20] Forrest represented GB&I in the 2015 Walker Cup against the United States at Royal Lytham & St Annes, England, contributing to a 16.5–9.5 victory, including a 2&1 singles win over Scott Harvey. While studying at the University of San Diego, Forrest earned selection to represent Scotland in the World Amateur Team Championship (Eisenhower Trophy) in 2014 at Karuizawa 72 Golf East in Japan and 2016 at Mayakoba Golf Club in Mexico. In 2014, alongside Bradley Neil and Chris Robb, Scotland finished tied for 10th. As a key member of the 2016 team alongside Connor Syme, Ewen Ferguson, and Robert MacIntyre, he posted a second-round 68 to help Scotland take the early lead at 10-under par, though the team ultimately finished tied for fifth.[21][8]Professional career
Early professional years
Forrest turned professional in late September 2016, shortly after completing his collegiate career at the University of San Diego.[22] He immediately set his sights on securing playing privileges on the European Tour, participating in the 2016 Qualifying School. At the second stage in Spain, he posted rounds of 67, 68, 74, and 67 to advance, but struggled in the final stage at Lumine Golf in Tarragona, finishing at 15-over-par and failing to earn a tour card.[23][24] Forrest joined the Challenge Tour full-time in 2017 but broke through in 2018 with a series of strong performances that propelled him up the rankings. He recorded three runner-up finishes: at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Match Play 9 in Marbella, Spain, where he lost to compatriot Liam Johnston in the final; at the Hauts de France Golf Open in Lumbres, France, falling to Stuart Manley in a playoff after both finished at six-under-par; and at the Hainan Open in Sanya, China, where he placed second behind Kalle Samooja despite opening with a course-record-equaling 10-under-par 62.[25][26][27] These results, along with other consistent showings, helped him finish eighth on the Challenge Tour Rankings, earning promotion to the European Tour for 2019.[2] In his debut European Tour season of 2019, Forrest adapted steadily, making the cut in the majority of events and securing his playing status by finishing 94th on the Race to Dubai. The 2020 season brought further progress amid significant disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted play for several months from March to July, but he responded with improved consistency, achieving a career-best 72nd on the Race to Dubai while recording five top-10 finishes across the two years—representative examples include a tied-seventh at the 2019 South African Open and a tied-eighth at the 2020 ISPS Handa Wales Open.[28][29] This upward trajectory in rankings reflected his growing reliability on the main tour.[2]European Tour success
Forrest's first victory on the European Tour arrived at the 2021 Hero Open, held at Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland, where he carded a final-round 66 to finish at 24-under par, edging out James Morrison by one stroke. This triumph marked not only his maiden tour win in his 77th start but also made him the first Scotsman to prevail on home soil in nearly a decade, since Paul Lawrie's 2012 victory at the same event. The win propelled Forrest into the spotlight, boosting his confidence after a period of solid but unspectacular results on the circuit. In the seasons following his breakthrough, Forrest established greater consistency, securing multiple top-10 finishes that helped him climb to a career-high world ranking of 134th in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). Notable performances included further top-10s in 2023, such as at the Bahrain Championship, reflecting his growing reliability amid the tour's competitive field. However, a hip injury in early 2022 disrupted his momentum, causing him to miss several events; he rebounded resiliently just before defending his Hero Open title, demonstrating improved physical management and mental fortitude. Forrest's second European Tour title came at the 2025 Nexo Championship, also on Scottish soil at Trump International Golf Links, where he closed with an even-par 72 to win by four strokes over Joe Dean at 8-under par overall. This dominant performance, his first victory in four years, underscored his enduring affinity for home events and solidified his status as a two-time winner on the tour, now known as the DP World Tour.Tournament victories
Amateur wins
Forrest secured his first national title in the 2009 Scottish Boys' Under-16 Stroke Play Championship at Largs Golf Club on July 9, posting rounds of 71, 70, and 71 for a 1-under-par total.[30][8] He followed with victory in the 2010 Scottish Boys Championship at West Kilbride Golf Club in April, defeating Ian Redford 3&2 in the 36-hole final.[8][1][31] Forrest claimed the 2012 Scottish Amateur Championship at Royal Dornoch Golf Club in August, winning the 36-hole final against Richard Docherty by 9&7—the largest margin since Colin Montgomerie's 1987 victory.[2][32][1] In 2013, Forrest won the individual title at the West Coast Conference Championship at Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, Washington, finishing at 6-under-par 210 with rounds of 74, 67, and 69.[33] Also in 2013, he claimed medalist honors at the Saint Mary's Invitational in Seaside, California, posting a 7-under-par total of 209 (71-69-69).[34] Forrest won the 2014 St Andrews Links Trophy at the Old Course, St Andrews, defeating fellow Scot Bradley Neil in a playoff after both finished at 6-under-par 278.[35]Professional wins
Grant Forrest has recorded two professional victories on the DP World Tour as of November 2025.[2] His maiden professional win came at the 2021 Hero Open, contested from August 5 to 8 at Fairmont St Andrews in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Forrest carded a final-round 66 to finish at 24-under-par 264, securing a one-stroke victory over England's James Morrison after birdieing the last two holes.[36][37] Forrest claimed his second DP World Tour title at the inaugural 2025 Nexo Championship, held August 7 to 10 at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He closed with an even-par 72 despite a double bogey on the 18th hole, ending at 8-under-par for a four-shot win over England's Joe Dean.[38][39]Major championships and team events
Results in majors
Grant Forrest made his debut in a major championship as a professional at the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, where he missed the cut after opening rounds of 77 and 76 for a 36-hole total of 13 over par 153.[40] Later that year, he competed in The Open Championship at Royal Troon, missing the cut after rounds of 80 and 73 for a 36-hole total of 11 over par 153.[41] Forrest qualified for these events through his strong performances on the DP World Tour, including his 2021 victory at the Hero Open.[2] In 2025, he played the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, missing the cut after rounds of 77 and 76 for a 36-hole total of 13 over par 153.[42] He then returned to The Open Championship at Royal Portrush but again missed the cut with rounds of 80 and 73 for a 36-hole total of 11 over par 153.[43] To date, Forrest has four major appearances, all resulting in missed cuts, with his lowest round a 73 in the second round of the 2024 and 2025 Open Championships; he has yet to compete in the Masters Tournament or PGA Championship.[1][40]| Year | Masters Tournament | U.S. Open | The Open Championship | PGA Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| 2022 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| 2023 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| 2024 | DNP | CUT | CUT | DNP |
| 2025 | DNP | CUT | CUT | DNP |