The Scot has become the fifth player from his country to win the Open de España presented by Madrid. Three of those five victories came at Real Club de Campo Villa de Madrid
There is something about Real Club de Campo Villa de Madrid that the Scots seem to particularly enjoy. Grant Forrest proved it once again on Sunday by winning the Open de España presented by Madrid and following in the footsteps of one of the great names in his country’s golfing history, Colin Montgomerie. It has been 32 years since Monty lifted the trophy in 1994, at the very same venue where his compatriot triumphed today.
Forrest won the title in style, with a birdie on the 18th that took him to -14 and prevented a playoff with Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra and Frenchman Victor Perez, who were both in the clubhouse at -13. The result concluded a week in which Forrest has once again shown that the Madrid course suits his game to perfection.
Forrest thus becomes the fifth Scottish golfer to win the Open de España since its inaugural edition in 1912. Five victories shared among five players, with one particularly notable fact; three of those five wins have come at Real Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.
Their pioneer was Bernard Gallacher, who triumphed in 1977 at La Manga Club. Just twelve months later, Brian Barnes followed suit at Real Club de Golf El Prat, securing two consecutive victories for Scotland.
The first Scottish triumph at the Madrid course came in 1982 when Sam Torrance lifted the trophy after cantering to a final score of -15 that was eight strokes clear of his nearest rivals, who included his compatriot, Sandy Lyle. It was the biggest winning margin in the tournament’s history.
Twelve years later, in 1994, it was Colin Montgomerie who once again raised the Scottish flag in Madrid. Monty triumphed with a score of -11 and a one-stroke lead to secure his country’s fourth victory in the event. Until this week, it was the last.
It has taken more than three decades for another Scot to etch his name into the trophy. Curiously, the victory once again came at Real Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, a venue with which Scottish players seem to enjoy a special connection.
Forrest, moreover, knows its secrets particularly well. He finished third at the event in 2021 and in 2024, two results that demonstrated how well he had adapted to a course that demands precision off the tee and a deft touch around the greens. This time, though, he managed to take the extra step required to lift the trophy.
From Torrance to Montgomerie and from Montgomerie to Forrest. Three generations of Scottish golfers who have found Real Club de Campo Villa de Madrid to be the perfect setting to win the Open de España.
Thirty-two years on, Scotland has triumphed once again in Madrid.
