Forsyth’sTimely Triumph

Alastair Forsyth had to wait for a second European Tour win but it was right on cue.

Talking to this magazine back in 2002, Alastair Forsyth commented: “Winning is what it’s all about. That win has given me the confidence and belief to go out and feel I can win again. That’s why I play and I want to go out and experience it again.” Forsyth was referring to his maiden European Tour title at the Malaysian Open. Little did he know that it would take him until now, six years on, to register his second victory.

In a weird sense of timing, though, the win in Madeira could not have come at better time, just a matter of days, in fact, after Colin Montgomerie once again offered his controversial opinions  on the state of Scottish professional golf.

“There are Scottish golfers coming through but not to the same degree as the other home countries - the Irish and Welsh and English have more coming through,” said Montgomerie. “We have some but there’s no one particularly coming through.”

Stephen Gallacher was none too pleased about those comments, and neither was Paul Lawrie. Both made quite disparaging comments about Monty’s accusations, with Lawrie being the more agitated of the two. ”If Colin thinks people like me, Stephen Gallacher and Alastair Forsyth are happy where we are, then he is very much deluded,” said a clearly frustrated Lawrie.

Forsyth’s win in Madeira, then, is a real much-needed shot in the arm to Scottish golf. It is also a major boost to the confidence of one of Scotland’ most highly- rated golfers.

Ever since that win in Malaysia six years ago, Forsyth has been touted as a future star yet been unable to live up to the expectations set by himself and, it should be said, the Scottish golf media.

Things haven’t always gone to plan for the likeable 32-year-old. Just two years ago, the best he could muster all season was four top-20 finishes. Near the end of that season, the Scot decided enough was enough and turned to Bob Torrance for help.

The transformation was not immediate, but it was at least notable as he rattled off 11 top-20 finishes, including third place at the KLM Open and a runner-up spot at the Merdedez-Benz Championship.

A win was within his grasp, said Forsyth, who admitted that he went into this season feeling good about his game, if a little rusty having come through a depressing winter season weather-wise.

The rust never moved and, subsequently, he missed five cuts on the spin. Not the best way to the start the season, granted, but it made the recent victory all the sweeter.

“(The win is) maybe a bit of a surprise after starting the year with five missed cuts,” Forsyth told waiting media after his victory.

“I went into the year feeling pretty good about my game after last year and I was hoping to carry that on, but I made a really poor start to the year.

“But I have been playing alright over the past couple of weeks, so I felt as if a good result was just around the corner.”

In Madeira, Forsyth trailed overnight leader Hennie Otto by fives shots going into the final round at Santo da Serra but clawed his way back into contention with a fine 67. A double-bogey by the Scot at 17 brought both players level, and they both birdied 18 to force a
play-off.

The avid Rangers fan, however, once again showed his mettle in a play-off and birdied the first-extra hole for the title and a cheque for £90,000. It is the second time Forsyth has beaten the South African in a play-off, having triumphed over Otto in extra holes as an amateur at the Scottish Strokeplay at Cardross in 1996.

“I had a wee kind of ‘one up’ there before we got to the extra holes,” recalled Forsyth. “That went to nine holes before I won that one. I actually said that to him on the 18th tee  - ‘we’re not getting nine holes in today!’ I knew it was going to take a birdie to win.”

The victory moved the affable Scot 70 places up the world rankings to No.109, just outside the top 100 which would guarantee him inclusion in the big-money events. For example, if he could get himself into the top 100, then he would secure a spot in the USPGA Championship at Oakland Hills for the first time since 2003. Forsyth certainly deserves the chance to shine on the big stage.

The win also takes a little pressure off the Scot with regards to his tour card as he now gains a full two-year exemption on the European Tour.

“A two-year exemption is great. Some people at home were asking me what was wrong with my game, missing five cuts in a row and stuff – it was the worst start to a year I had ever made. But I had trust in my game and faith in my ability and a lot of trust in my coach, Bob Torrance, who told me I was swinging it well and, if he tells you that, that is good enough for me. And he was right.”

Torrance, who coached Padraig Harrington to Open glory at Carnoustie last year, now works with a large contingent of Scottish players and said, although Forsyth was missing cuts, he wasn’t necessarily playing terrible golf.
“Alastair is strong mentally and, although he was missing cuts, it was only by a shot or two,” said Torrance. “It wasn’t as if he was playing really badly. It was still very early in the season and no time to rush to judgement. He is certainly going to achieve more in the game. He is a potential Ryder Cup player.”

Things are looking up for Scottish golf. About time, too.