Forsyth's back woes subside

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in time for Moroccan tilt

FROM THE SCOTSMAN SPORT.COM WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Two weeks after being forced to halt a journey to Malaysia due to a back injury, Alastair Forsyth is among seven Scots teeing off in today's first round of the Hassan Trophy in Morocco.
The two-time European Tour winner, pictured right, got as far as Dubai on his way to the Far East before the pain became so unbearable that he turned around and jumped on the first flight back home.

A week ago Forsyth was still being troubled by the problem but, thanks to Gerry Docherty, the physio at Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, he's been able to join David Drysdale, Stephen Gallacher, Gary Orr, Richie Ramsay, Marc Warren and Peter Whiteford in this week's field at Royal Dar Es Salam.

"The fact I'm playing this week is all thanks to Gerry, who I was referred to by Stephen Gallacher, who has fought back problems for years," said Forsyth.

"Gerry thought that just one session would be enough but it needed a few more. It was painful but he knows what he is doing so I'm grateful to him. I hit some balls last Friday and decided to play this week. I'm a bit stiff but the back is feeling good. I didn't think I would be back playing anywhere near this time, so I'm delighted."

Ramsay and Warren are both making their returns this week after spending time working on their games in America recently. Ramsay, the South African Open champion, has been practising at the Golf Club of Georgia since he tied for 14th in India, while Warren has been back at his home in Florida since playing in the three events on the Middle East Swing.

This is the first time the tournament in Rabat has been part of the European Tour schedule, but the course has hosted the Moroccan Open, the last winner of which was Ian Poulter in 2001.

On the US PGA Tour, Justin Rose is trying to book his place at the Masters in this week's Transitions Championship at Palm Harbor on Florida's west coast. Rose stands 59th in the world, with the leading 50 on Monday week qualifying for the opening major of the season.

World Match Play champion Poulter, also part of the Innisbrook field, is one of Rose's closest friends in golf – as well as his Ryder Cup partner two years ago – and said:

"It would be good to see him get back into the top 50 and into The Masters. I know that's why he has been playing a busy schedule and he's obviously playing well. His place in the world rankings is not reflective of the type of player he is."

Rose is mightily relieved to see his hard work paying dividends at last. The 29-year-old has yet to win in over 150 US Tour starts, but has earned well in excess of $10million and said: "I've played good enough golf to win out here. I've been close a few times. Sometimes winning just gets in the way without you trying too hard – it's felt like it's been a bit of a battle. If I can maintain the direction I'm going I certainly believe it will happen."

+The full article above appears in The Scotsman newspaper.