We’ve just about gathered ourselves after the hurricane conditions at St Andrews, and good news for the environment the whole team left the 2004 diesel pollution monster in the car park and flew home on a giant kite!

Thankfully we were just going down the Fife coast to Kinghorn is usually a shoe in for windiest event of the season, but I am not sure anything is beating the St Andrews Open this year.

We caught up with the field after the event and it was pleasant to not have to scream our answers into the gale this year-round.

Let’s hear what they had to say after the Kinghorn Classic and Stuart Sutherland’s superb back to back win.
The 2024 Kinghorn Classic is in the can - how did you enjoy it?

Starting us off on a positive note Graeme Connor said, “my thoughts on Kinghorn as a course are well publicised. Like I said to some of the boys mid-round, they should put a big dome over it and call it Adventure Golf Island.”

Two time winner and 2024 runner-up David McColgan said, “I love coming here, it really scrambles some of the guys minds and this year was so much fun, slightly challenging breeze but unbelievable greens – and some very, very cruel pins. All in all, it was a really good day to be out on the links.”

2023 winner and defending Champion Stevie Orr said, “I really enjoyed it out there today, despite what my score suggests. Just a shame the Glasgow weather didn’t make its way over to Fife for the start of the round.”

Denis Duncan, eventual 4th place finisher said, “Enjoyed today. It is a different course from the rest and can have quirky holds.”

How did everyone feel they played out there?

McColgan said, “I think I played pretty well, it’s one of the first visits here we haven’t needed to be too adventurous in our shot making. I was disappointed with my finish but I can’t complain too much.”

Denis Duncan said, “I’ve not been happy with my golf lately but enjoyed today and played well for the best part. 3 holes got away from me which ultimately cost me.”

Graeme Connor said, “A bit of a mixed bag, thought I played ok, but you can play nice shots and still get punished at Kinghorn, so I’m not too disheartened.”

Stevie Orr said, “I played well at parts, and terrible at others. Around the green let me down today, which I have doing well this season up until now. I certainly didn’t match my performance here from last year that’s for sure.”

Kinghorn was presented in fantastic condition how did you find the course out there?

Connor said, “The condition of the course itself was pretty good, can’t really complain on that aspect of it.”
McColgan said, “I’d agree, that’s probably the best condition we’ve played it, and the greens were perfect – if not tough.”

Denis Duncan said, “with it being preferred lies I was thinking it could be soggy especially after the first hole, but it was good, and the greens were punishing if shots were over hit.”

Orr said, “the course was in really good condition. However, some of the pin positions were treacherous and landing your ball short of the green was the way to go today. The wind played its part in the early stages too.”

⁠It was one of the most competitive Kinghorn Classics, do you think the course conditions and relatively benign weather made for a good scoring day?

Orr said, “Yeah, I thought the conditions made for some competitive scoring. It was one of those days where a daisy cutter isn’t necessarily a bad shot. Good to see it tight at the top though again.”

Duncan said, “the weather held out which was good. I just think with most of the course being open most people are always getting good second or 3rd shots to the green.”

Connor said, “experience round Kinghorn counts for a lot, otherwise it’s just down to luck. Like I said previously, 1 nice shot can turn out poor thanks to extreme slopes and daft undulations.”

McColgan said, “I do think calmer conditions allows more players to be competitive. Players who are hitting high spinny shots were getting away with a lot more today than previous years for sure.”

The final 2 holes held all the drama again - do you think Kinghorn has the toughest 17-18 stretch in Tour?

Connor said, “17 is pretty straight forward, however 18 is a tough green to hold, a bit of good fortune is required!”

McColgan said, “I’d put the 17th on the Eden up there as the toughest 17th on Tour – and card wrecking statistics would probably prove that- 18th hole though – I think Kinghorn holds the winner for toughest hole.”

Duncan, “I think the 2 par 3s make it challenging and good to watch the others coming home.”

Orr said, “With the greens as treacherous as they were, I would say yes to answer the question. Balls bounce to the right on each hole, and right is not where you want to end up.”

Stuart Sutherland shot 4-under for the last 3 holes to snatch the title, that’s surely impressive shooting in anyone’s eyes?

Orr said, “It looks like he maintained his form that won him the St. Andrews Open. Even though I was marking for my group, I thought it was really between Dave and Daniel, but Stuart powered through in the end. Well-deserved considering how he played the last 3 holes.”

McColgan said, “He was as calm as you like through the whole thing. I am not sure he quite realised what he was doing until the 18th tee, and he saw the leaderboard, but even at that stage he had to put a club behind the ball and get it to the green and he did it with aplomb, sing of a champion for sure.”

Graeme Connor did question the round saying, “that is good shooting, the handicap committee must have raised eyebrows though, a player comes from nowhere and wins two on the bounce.”

Sutherland did indeed claim back-to-back victories to kick off the season, would you say he is a firm favourite to win the Order of Merit?

Graeme Connor said, “there is still a long way to go, he’s in with a shout but I feel there are plenty of opportunities for things to swing the other way.”

Denis Duncan said, “back to back victories is good by anyone but the season has just started. So not naming anyone as contenders yet. A lot of golf still to play.”

Orr said, “he’ll certainly be up there that’s for sure. However, despite his two wins, Dave is right there behind him. I’d say it’s a two-horse race so far.”

McColgan said, “I think it is great for the OoM to have a rookie winner and then have him go back-to-back – it’s a hell of a story, and not sure one that’ll be beat this year.

There’s plenty golf to be played and Sutherland will now be playing with a target on his back, it could free a lot of players up to make a run at him.”

Well there we have it folks a quick catch-up with some of the players in the 2024 Kinghorn Classic.

The team are off to take elocution lessons, raid our father’s wardrobe for a stuffy sports jacket and see if we can rent a high-end car, as we head to Dunfermline Golf Club the new home of the MCM @ Pitfirrane.
We’ll see you there on May 19th and promise we’ll leave the sandals at home.

Happy golfing.