GRANT Forrest will compete at the US Open for the first time after sealing his spot at the prestigious event.

A qualifying tournament took place at Walton Heath, Surrey, and the county golfer shared top spot alongside Richard Mansell and Brandon Robinson-Thompson.

The trio topped the leaderboard on 10-under-par after 36 holes at the famed venue, with each competitor playing one round on each of the Old and New Courses.

Nine places were available for the third men’s Major Championship of the year.

Robinson-Thompson was the first of the those to reach 10-under-par and will make his US Open debut at Pinehurst, North Carolina, less than a year after playing in his first Major Championship at The 151st Open at Hoylake.

The Englishman, who is now based in the USA, followed up his first round 68 with a six-under-par 66.

He was then joined on 10-under-par by compatriot Mansell, who made his US Open debut in 2022, and Forrest, who will be playing in his first US Open.

The tournament, which will be screened to millions across the globe, takes place from June 13 to 16.

Grant Forrest will take part in the US Open for the first time next month. Image: Gordon Bell

Grant Forrest will take part in the US Open for the first time next month. Image: Gordon Bell

Forrest, who is due to tee off at the Soudal Open in Belgium today (Thursday), played college golf at the University of San Diego before turning professional.

Now, he is heading back to the USA to compete in the Major for the first time.

He said: “I can’t wait: my first US Open, so I’m looking forward to it.

“The US Open is traditionally the toughest test, so I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“I played the US Kids Teen World Championships at Pinehurst, I think back in 2009.

“They have changed it since then, but I’m looking forward to going back.

“I actually watched the highlights from Michael Campbell’s win there not too long ago.

“We’ve got a lot of [Scottish] representation out there, with Bob [MacIntyre] and Martin Laird. It’s good to get more guys playing in the biggest events.”

The 30-year-old, who lives in Pencaitland, has previous experience of playing in a Major, having reached The Open in 2013 and in 2018.

Eleven years ago at Muirfield, rounds of 73 and 86 saw him finish on 17-over-par as he failed to make the cut.

Then in 2018 at Carnoustie, he failed to make the cut after rounds of 80 and 73 saw him finish on 11-over-par.

Sam Bairstow, Matteo Manassero, Tom McKibbin, Edoardo Molinari, Robert Rock and Jason Scrivener secured the other six qualifying spots for the US Open through the tournament, which came to a close on Monday.