The King’s Cup has always been a tightly fought event with some really low scoring, and 2024 was at least one of those.

As the players gathered back from the summer break, they were left in the dust by Stevie Orr who shot out the blocks to card a 5-under 62, finishing 5 whole shots ahead of the nearest player.

Whilst the players dusted themselves down, we sat down with three of them to get their views on the King’s Cup and the upcoming sprint to the end of the year.

Thanks for your time guys it was a nice day out there for the King's Cup, it always feels like a long break over June/July how did you find you return to competition?

David McColgan, who started the day with a bogey, that included a top off the tee said, “well I’d love to tell you I felt rusty out there, but I have had a pretty successful off-Tour summer.

I guess I just wasn’t quite prepared for the first tee today.”

Stuart Allan said, “even with the Anstruther medal it did feel like a long break. Great to see the guys again, even with a reduced field.”

Daniel peck said, “after a drunken day at the Open, I was just glad to avoid any accidents around the course. It certainly wasn’t a day for the white strides.”

The course was in great condition, how did you find it out there?

Stuart Allan said, “the course was the best I have seen it. Fairways were a perfect length, and the greens were really fast and challenging. The best conditioned course on the OOM this year by far.”

Daniel Peck said, “the course has been questionable in previous order of merit events, but overall it was in far better condition this year round. The greens in particular were speedy which I’m always a fan of.”

McColgan echoed that groups saying, “you won’t find any complaints about the course here, it is probably the best I have ever played it.”

Let's talk about those greens, there were some real challenging pin positions on some of the fastest greens we've seen this year, how did you fair on them?

Peck said, “I always like when the greens are fast. For some reason it makes me putt better and other people worse, so it brings us both to a poor standard which helps me compete!”

McColgan agreed with Peck saying, “I am a big fan of faster greens, feels there is a bit more skill required with the flat stick. That being said though, there were some seriously terrifying pin positions out there.”

Allan said, “I struggled. In the first 6 holes I missed 4 x 4ft putts. Nothing to do with the quality of greens but the pace and slope were violent!!”

Stevie Orr started with back to back birdies and didn't look back - it's the biggest win of the season so far - does that make it all the more impressive on those tough greens?

Stuart Allan said, “Stevie is very much a streak player, when he is hot, he plays very well and beneath his handicap. He didn’t have his expected blow up either and maintained solid golf throughout. Well played Chief Wiggum!”

McColgan said, “it was like watching a golf lesson for 18 holes, he was flawless, and even when an error crept in, he picked himself up and bounced right back.

His birdie on 12 was impressive to see, but coming off the back of a bogey that was the result of two unforced errors as even more impressive.”

Peck said, “Sounds like he had a good game today, there was nobody getting close to him from start to finish.”

There's a lot of players looking around them at this time of the season - where's your focus, up the table or at those snapping at your heels below?

Stuart Allan said, “my target at the start of the season was 2nd and as we approach the business end it is very tight for 2nd spot and I’m in touch. Big round at Lochgelly but looks like all to play for at Craigielaw which is exactly how the Tour is set up.”

Peck said, “I’m just glad that I think I’ve avoided Q-School for this year. That was where my aspirations started and ended.”

McColgan said, “I have finished in the top-3 in every event this year and I am in a good position, if I take care of my golf, I don’t really need to worry what’s going on around me.”

The Relegation spots are tightly packed with 7 players within 1500, how wide open is the battle?

McColgan said, “with Craigielaw just around the corner and double points on offer, you don’t really want to be inside that 1500-point mark if I am honest.

We saw Ally Greenshields and Joel Morrison both score well around Craigielaw in 2023 so you’ve got to be looking at them if you are down there.”

Allan said, “nobody wants the rainbow towel. It will be a really interesting battle and who handles the pressure. Q-school is a terrifying prospect.”

Peck said, “just comes down to whoever is least keen to face the obligatory pain that the Q School is renowned for. With just two events to go, that’s what’ll be the difference. Those that want and those that don’t.”

Conversely McColgan is 1500 points clear at the top of the leader board, can he be caught?

Stuart Allan said, “given Dave’s performances at Craigielaw, realistically no. I think top spot is the only sure thing. Well played that man.”

Peck said, “I think the problem with Dave is this ridiculous handicap he has. It’s about time that bandit started getting something a bit more realistic in order to give the rest of the field a chance.”

Well, there we have it folks a quick look at the King’s Cup and the upcoming season ending Tour Champs.
Stay tuned for more news, insight and analysis as the season comes to an exciting finish.