Traditionally rising stars who have come through the Challenge Tour ranks have gone on to earn formidable careers in European and world golf, with household names such as World No1 Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose to name a few.
And next Wednesday, Scotland’s Grant Forrest will be aiming to follow a similar path to the professional game when he tees off at Al Hamra Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah to contest the Challenge Tour’s season-ending finale.
The 25-year-old, currently eighth in the rankings and already assured of a European Tour card, comes into the tournament on the back of three top-two finishes and one top-three finish this campaign.
With two rounds to spare, Forrest had already sealed his spot on the European Tour for 2019, but despite the guarantee of a place, he insists there is still a lot to play for in Ras Al Khaimah, with a higher position in the end of season rankings meaning a potential difference of automatic qualification for extra tournaments next year.
“If I have a big week in Ras Al Khaimah, the way the points are set out, if I have a top two or three finish, then I will jump up in the rankings. It could be the difference between getting into three or three extra tournaments next year,” said Forrest.
“It is life-changing. It’s what I’ve dreamt about growing up and wanting to play on European Tour. The feeling of having accomplished that already is slowly starting to sink in.”
On the back of some titanic displays over the past year, the Livingston native received invitations to compete in the World Super 6 Perth in February, the Moroccan Open in April and even qualified for the Open Championship in July where he missed the cut after shooting an 11-over par 153.
Although, Forrest may not have performed at his normally superior level at elite tournaments, it still gave him a taste of what the life and competition would be like to compete on the grand stage of European and world golf. However, the experience will certainly stand to him.
Four days after the curtain comes down on the European Tour season in Dubai next month, the 2019 season will start all over again in Hong Kong on November 22, with Forrest set to play in all four tournaments before the New Year in an effort to get the upper hand on his rivals.
“I plan on playing in Hong Kong, Australia, Mauritius and South Africa. It’s important to get some points early doors so you can come into the new year with something on the board, instead of starting from scratch,” he said.
The Challenge Tour is tougher than ever with a constant flood of talented youngsters coming through with the ambition of getting on the European Tour.
With only 100 cards available each season, a player needs to finish in the top 15 on the Challenge Tour to win membership to the European Tour the following season.
“The Challenge Tour is a great stepping stone to bigger and better things, you just have to look at the guys that come through it and gone on to big things,” said Forrest.
“Brooks Koepka, Martin Kaymer and Justin Rose all started off on the Challenge Tour and have all gone on to become World No.1 so I really do think it prepares you well for life on Tour.
“In my eyes, it is the best stepping stone to succeeding on the European Tour.”
* The Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final takes place October 31-November 3 at Al Hamra Golf Club. Entry is free of charge.
