Lothians golfer Grant Forrest suffers in 44-degree heat

Grant Forrest is hoping for cooler weather in Melbourne tomorrow

Play was halted on the second day of stroke-play qualifying due to it becoming too hot but only after some competitors had complained of feeling ill.

“It was by far the hottest weather I’ve played in,” said Forrest, who was unable to complete his round along with fellow Scots Ewen Ferguson, Jack McDonald and Connor Syme.

“It got up to 44 degrees and the gusty winds made it feel like an oven. It made it very difficult to stay focused. I honestly thought play would have been suspended sooner than it did, and I wasn’t surprised that three competitors became ill.”

Needing to finish in the top 64 and ties to make the match-play phase, Forrest was set to resume right on the cut-off mark after dropping three shots in the last two holes he played to sit four-over for his round at the turn.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow, when it looks like it’s only going to be about 20 degrees,” added the Craigielaw player.