After an 838-day hiatus the EuroDov Cup was back with a bang. The field was the largest in the tournament’s history and stacked with Tour talent. The four Order of Merit winners of 2021 were all present, alongside the current Order of Merit leader. The field was made up of four EuroDov rookies and three players making their first appearance since 2018, D. McColgan returned for his third EuroDov Cup.

Slaley Hall was the backdrop for the drama that unfolded over the three days of competition and the From the Locker Room team were there every step of the way for a tournament that didn’t disappoint.

After a weekend that saw four different players hold the lead it was 2018 winner David McColgan who lifted the EuroDov Cup in a wire-to-wire victory unseen in the tournament’s history. We got the chance to sit down with him after his round and hear his reaction on the weekend’s events.

Firstly, how does it feel to win the first major of the year? “It is a great feeling to lift the cup after three days of competition. It was a fantastic competition, played across two amazing courses and I am just delighted to have won out over the 54 holes.”

Let’s talk about the field, how did you feel coming into the event? “I am confident in my own game; I have been striking the ball well of late and I know I can play within myself when I need to. However, I knew there was no room for complacency. The field was full of players who had already lifted silverware this year and anyone, on any day was good enough to lift this Cup.”

And what were your views on the Hunting Course and Priestman Course? “I think its hard to fault them, they were in fantastic condition and held up well against the deluge of rain on each day. I loved the strategic nature of the courses, they challenged the eye and rewarded good ball striking.

A lot was made of the rough on the Priestman course, and there is no doubt it was pretty brutal, but the solution was pretty simple, stay out of it.”

Talk us through your strategy on the Priestman Course, you didn’t hit a Driver or wood over the two days? “I felt I was striking the ball off the tee well on day one around the Hunting Course. However, on the back nine I started to get in bother off the tee due to the firmness of the fairway that saw a few balls bounce into the rough.

When I saw the condition of the rough on the Priestman it was clear that accuracy was going to be rewarded. Over the two days on the Priestman I opted to hit my 4-iron and 2-iron off the tee and that was rewarded.”

Your decision to take the 4-iron off the tee raised a lot of eyebrows, at 6,500 yards the course wasn’t short. “I can understand the view that a 4-iron off the tee was overly conservative however my approach was simple, hit the fairway and leave a second shot. I have been striking my long irons well and was confident of finding greens from the fairway.”

McColgan’s strategy clearly paid off carding 25 pars, 2 birdies, 8 bogeys and 1 double bogey over the course of 36 holes.

How did you feel on the final day, it was a close affair? “It was great to see two days of golf result in a three-way dead heat, you couldn’t have written that story line. It was a great idea to pair the leading players together for the final day, it added extra pressure as it was like matchplay. I knew Stuart and Denis were going to be tough competitor and dig in for the full 18, so complacency was not something I was going to let seep in.

I knew I wouldn’t get an easy run at it and even after starting with five pars it was still close. After two days of demanding competition play, tiredness was always going to play a factor and after parring holes 8 thru 15 I was feeling hopeful.”

McColgan’s 8 pars put him in a strong position, especially as S. Allan and D. Duncan both dropped 5 and 3 shots respectively. However, it was not a victory parade over the last few holes. What was going through your mind through holes 16-18? “I am not going to lie it was a very shaky run in. I did not play 16 well. I rushed the hole during the heavy rain and wind and was lucky to walk away with a bogey.

On the 17th Stuart hit the longest drive of the day, I had not seen him hit a straighter ball all day and it was a bomb. I stuck to my strategy and dispatched my four iron down the fairway, but it was the first time all week my ball striking failed me and I scrambled down for a double bogey. It certainly opened the door for Allan and left me two shots in front.

Again, Stuart stepped up and launched his driver way down the hole. Again, my four iron was sent down the middle and I could not have dropped it in a better place. I knew Stuart had a flick of a wedge into the green and I have not been more nervous over a shot all week. I had 195 yards to the hole and it was all carry over the pond. After a poor 5 iron on 17 it was time for one last iron. As soon as my 6 iron made contact with the ball I knew it was good and it never left the pin landing about 15 feet behind the pin.”

McColgan’s EuroDov Cup win goes alongside his St Andrews Open win in the Order of Merit for 2021, but how does he view the rest of the season ahead? “It’s great to add the EuroDov Cup alongside my Order of Merit win and it will of course be a launch pad for the rest of the season. The next month or so is critical for the Order of Merit and I’ll refocus my game over the coming weeks.”

It was a wire-to-wire win for McColgan and his second EuroDov Cup victory. McColgan’s commitment to his strategy was clear and his steadfast nature in the final round under the artillery that Allan was unleashing from the tee was undoubtedly critical to his win. As McColgan began to pack up and make the trip home his final considerations were to 2022.

“I hope we have a competitive field next year and the EuroDov Cup goes from strength to strength. It’s great the Tour has been able to put the event on after a 2-year delay due to the ongoing public health issues in the UK.

I have already committed for 2022 and hope many others will do also.”