It as a glorious day on the Western fringes of Dunfermline for the MCM @Pitfirrane. The traditional May tournament taking place at its 3rd home since its inception in 2021.

The tournament has been held at Mearns Castle Academy (2021), Aberdour GC (2022-23) and relocated in 2024 to Dunfermline Golf Club, a mature parkland course that was set-up beautifully to challenge the field.

As we’ve become accustomed to, the tournament was a thrill ride till the very last hole where David McColgan, uncharacteristically, threw away a 1-shot lead from 240 yards in the idle of the fairway. As McColgan’s round crumbled, Richard Mair had already carded a wonderful 1-under par round and was sitting in the clubhouse watching events unfold.

Mair wins back-to-back MCM’s rising to 3rd in the Order of Merit standings and solidifying his position at #2 on the Official Tour Rankings.

We caught up with the field to hear their thoughts on the day and the season so far.

Good evening gents - the MCM has found a new home in 2024, what were our thoughts on Pitffirane?

Stuart Sutherland – winner of the first two events of 2024 said, “it was my first time playing the course and I really enjoyed it. The course was in fantastic condition.”

Graeme Connor – member of Dunfermline GC said, “great move, best course in the area, I’ve long been asking for an event to be held there.”

Stevie Orr said, “I thought the course was in great condition and was a brilliant challenge having never played there before.”

David McColgan, eventual runner-up said, “I thought the course was presented fantastically, the rough was really penial, and rewarded accurate play from the tee, the pin positions were devilish, especially on the back nine, but made it all the more fun.

The only let down for me was slow and inconsistent greens, they are by far the slowest we’ve played on all year and with some of the hanging pins, it was impossible to really attack them with the flatstick.”

So how did you all feel you played out there?

McColgan, who suffered a catastrophic collapse on 18 said, “Across the 18 holes I thought I played really well. When I got out of position I my recovery shots were good.

I really struggled to get the putter going and as for my 4 wood on 18, I’ll just need to chalk that one down to the past and move on.”

Callum McNeill said, “I went +15 for 3 holes, strangely I thought I produced some decent stuff out with that.”

Ally Greenshields said, “A birdie on 1, and drastically downhill from there. My trusty Kirkland stayed with me (despite several adventures into the trees) right until the last, losing it in the rough. A real kick in the teeth…”

Stuart Sutherland said, “very rollercoaster round is the best way to sum it up! Couldn’t keep 8s off my card, lost a few balls which didn’t help!”

We’re half way through the regular season - what grade would you give your season so far?

Stevie Orr said, “although I won at Kinghorn last season, I wouldn’t say that overall, I’m happy with the consistency of how I’m playing right now. I hope that continues.”

At the other end of the spectrum was Callum McNeill, who said, “absolutely shocking stuff. I’m basically sitting in the corner of the EuroDov clubhouse wearing a dunce hat.”

Denis Duncan, who was in contention till late on at Pitfirrane said, “I feel I am coming on well, I see some good shots and my game is hopefully beginning to tighten up.”

Stuart Sutherland said, “I wouldn’t grade myself! I’m enjoying my golf and it’s showing in general from the golf I’m playing (on the whole).”

Graeme Connor said, “in terms of OoM, bang average to be honest. I have only played two events though, so still early days!”

David McColgan said, “I can’t really complain. I have put myself in contention each event and that’s all I can ask for. My target this year was to finish in the top 3 at each event and I have managed 2 runners-up spots and a T1.

I suppose where I do need to tighten up is being more ruthless with the lead. I lost the lead on the 17 at Kinghorn and threw it away on 18 at Pitffirane.”

McColgan has led us here, so for the rest of you guys what needs to improve for the second half of the season?

Denis Duncan said, “keep my long shots in play and maintain my short game”

Ally Greenshields said, “probably a bit less focus on scoring well, and just focus on the enjoyment. That way if the golf doesn’t improve, at least I’ll be smiling.”

Stevie Orr said, “if I can improve anything, it would be try and eliminate as many high scoring holes as I possibly can.”

Stuart Sutherland said, “just maintaining enjoyment of my golf with no expectations!”

⁠Let’s focus back on today - it was another exciting day out there with 3 or 4 players in contention over the last few holes - how does this tee us up for the rest of the year?

Stuart Sutherland said, “It was really close again today which was good to see.”

Denis Duncan chimed in saying, “let’s hope we can continue being competitive.”

Stevie Orr said, “I believe that the OoM has been very competitive this year. Dave will always be up there or thereabouts, but it’s great to see a number of others competing.”

Graeme Connor said, “should be an interesting race, it seems like it’s anyone’s game, nobody is dominating as such.”

⁠It was a role reversal this weekend has McColgan crumbled on 18 - is he human after all?

Denis Duncan said, “Ha ha - a blip is all it is.”

Stuart Sutherland said, “everyone’s human! Golf is a funny game!!!”

Stevie Orr said, “of course he is. We all have a horrible hole or two in us, and I think with his handicap, Dave can’t afford that.”

Ally Greenshields said, “you won’t hear me say a bad word about McColgan…”

Graeme Connor said, “it was a tough break from what I heard, it’s a shame the spectators weren’t paying attention.”

Richard Mair was clubhouse leader as the meltdown happened and wins his 3rd OoM event on a countback. Is it redemption after last week’s Major loss?

Stevie Orr said, “I didn’t play last week, but I heard that Richard went close. He’s a very consistent player, so a win is always a possibility for him in any event.”

Callum McNeill said, “No…like Brooks, I’ve decided only majors count.”

Graeme Connor said, “Richard played great, he was a steady-eddie and never really got in trouble, so well deserved.”

David McColgan said, “Richard’s collapse at the Invitational Tournament, had to be hard to take, and you could see it on his face in the locker room afterwards. But he is such a good player and to come out today and play his way back to the top of the leaderboard that tells you a lot about the guy,”

⁠Mair goes back-to-back at the MCM - is he the bookies favourite for Dodhead Invitational?

McColgan said, “defending a title is impressive, you turn up and on the first tee the target is on your back. You’ve got 15 guys behind you saying, “anyone but him.”

Is he the favourite around Burntisland though? I think that might be a stretch. It is a course that massively favours experience and you’ve got six previous members in the field and two past winners; he’ll have stiff competition for sure.”

Graeme Connor echoed McColgan’s last point saying, “Dodhead is a course for experience, my money is on any of the ex-members to be honest, maybe even myself if I can play!”

Stevie Orr said, “yeah he’s possibly favourite going into it, but again, you never know what can happen in golf.”

Callum McNeill chimed in at the end offering, “it’s McColgan and always will be at Burntisland.”

Well, that was one of the liveliest Players’ reaction interviews we’ve had in recent weeks so I hope you enjoyed that. We’ll be taking a break to cover the Carnegie Cup on May 26th but back for Tour action on June 2nd for the Dodhead Invitational.