Forsyth will miss Augusta showcase

Apr 7 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

EUROPEAN Tour star Alastair Forsyth will be left kicking his heels this weekend as he is forced to sit out the US Masters in Augusta.

Forsyth has not gained enough ranking points to receive an invite to the prestigious event, which begins on Thursday.

However, the talented Buddie can take heart from his performance at the Portuguese Open in Estoril, where he finished as joint top Scot, alongside former Open winner Paul Lawrie.

Forsyth, 33, ended his final round with a level-par 71 to clinch joint seventh place overall.

The Paisley golfer finished the tournament on a four-under-par total of 280.

That impressive performance has earned Forsyth almost 30,000 Euros in prize money.

The eventual winner in Estoril was Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey, who secured his maiden victory on the European Tour as he saw off Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño in a play-off to capture the trophy.

The only Scot who will be in action at the Masters this weekend is Sandy Lyle, who won the tournament in 1988.