Simon goes green to wind up Gers fan Al

May 25 2008

BLUENOSE Alastair Forsyth couldn't believe his eyes when playing partner Simon Dyson stepped on to the range wearing green and white hoops yesterday.

But the Rangers diehard brushed aside Dyson's reminder of his football heroes' nightmare week to stay on course to succeed Colin Montgomerie as top Scot in the world rankings.

Forsyth played his best golf in weeks in a level-par round of 72 for a two-under total of 214 - nine behind leader Robert Karlsson.

And the Paisley star looks well placed to achieve the top-50 finish he needs to leapfrog Monty when the latest standings are released tomorrow.

Only one other Scot, Stephen Gallacher - for a brief spell in 2004 - has managed to edge above Monty in the world list over the last 17 years.

Forsyth was more worked up about Dyson's gear yesterday than the prospect of overhauling Montgomerie - although Rangers' Scottish Cup success gave him the last laugh.

He smiled: "Simon came straight over to me on the putting green this morning and apologised right away for the outfit, which is fair enough.

"He says Nike tell him what to wear every day so I let him off with it.

"It wasn't just green and white, it was hoops as well. My caddy Dave Renwick was saying it's just missing a number nine on the back!

"That's the best I've played for a while but I was a bit unlucky at times with the double on six and a bogey on the fourth without really hitting a bad shot. I'm striking it well again.

"It would be nice to become the top-ranked Scot but the world rankings are a bit like the Krypton Factor so I don't study them too closely. I'm more interested in where I am rather than where other people are.

"If it so happens I'm top Scot then great but ultimately the real target is getting into the first 50.

"That good run I had six weeks ago got me back into the top 100 which was one of my goals for the season.

"Now I need to push on from there and get as close as I can to getting inside the top 50 because that opens so many doors for you."