Forsyth drove out the shot bowl to beat Queenslander Sean Ingham (Broadbeach) 21-20 in a dramatic final end.
Helen King (Victoria, Wellington) won her first national title when she beat teenager Tayla Bruce (Burnside, Christchurch) 21-14 in the women's singles.
The Composite team of Carolyn (St Clair) and Anne Muir (Kensington, Auckland) caused a major upset by beating former world champions Val Smith and Jo Edwards (United, Nelson) 22-15 in the women's pairs.
The Auckland Composite pair of Michael Nagy and Tony Grantham won the men's pair when they beat brothers Ross and John Munro (Forbury Park) 18-17.
It was the first day of finals at the centenary national bowls championships in Dunedin. The fours final will be held at the Taieri headquarters club on Thursday.
