Scot Grant Forrest returned from a six-week competition absence to take Route 66 on the opening day of the Porsche Singapore Classic.

The recently-married Forrest grabbed seven birdies to be sharing fifth place with four others including French golfing ace Matthieu Pavon, winner earlier this year of the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open in California.

The trio of legendary Thai golfer Kiradech Aphirbarnat, England’s Jordan Smith and Malayian Gavin Green lead the way with eight-under 64s in hot but windy conditions on the host Laguna National course in the golf-laden island nation.

Scot Grant Forrest wastes little time returning from a six-week honeymoon break to post a six-under 66 on day one of the Porsche Singapore Classic

Forrest, 30, has not teed-up on the Tour since the fourth day of February in finishing just outside the top-20 at the Bahrain Championship.   He and long-time girlfriend, Christy were married over the Festive season and used the time following the Bahrian event to enjoy an overdue honeymoon.

And Forrest could not have been happier returning to competition by putting himself straight into contention for a second DP World Tour triumph.

“I played really nicely and especially having had six weeks off and not played since Bahrain”, he said.

“So, it’s not to come back and start by getting a good round under my belt.  I just played really solid and particularly on my front nine that was the back nine on the scorecard”.

Indeed, the World No. 147 was five-under in making the turn thanks to a hat-trick of birdies from the 14th to 16th holes. Forrest then headed into his closing nine, and the opening nine holes on the scorecard, birdieing the third and seventh holes to move to seven-under and with his only bogey at the eighth hole or his 16th.

The effort is Forrest’s second scores in 23 rounds this 2023/24 wraparound season and with the Scot’s lowest round an opening 65 on route to a superb share of fourth at last December’s Australian Open.

As well, Forrest has returned to the Singapore event 13 months after posting three 68s on route to a share of sixth, and one of six top-10s last year.

“I like this Laguna course as it suits my eye and it’s golf course if you drive the ball well you get rewarded”, he said.

“It’s pretty long and with the par-5s good chances for birdies.

“I like golf in the Far East”.

Scoreboard after day one Porsche Singapore Classic – Image SKY

Fellow Scots Ewen Ferguson and Callum Hill are just a shot back on five-under.

Like Forrest, Hill was also off the 10th hole and while also birdieing 14, 15 and 16th the Gleneagles attached golfer then doubled the par-17th but made ammends in eagling the par-5 18th.

Highest-ranked Shane Lowry signed for a three-under 69 with the World No. 34 managing five birdies but dropping two shots.

And spare of thought for defending champion Ockie Strydom whose tee shot at the par-3 17th, and where is a stunning golf coloured Porsche the prize for an ace, saw the South African’s ball hit the hole but lip out.