It was a short break from EuroDov Tour proceedings and night and day in conditions as we pulled into Burntisland Golf House Club with the sun splitting the skies and a host of players in shorts for the first time this season.

The weather was perfect, although the wind steadily played a part as the day went on, and the course was in pristine condition with pin position enough to scare even the best of golfers.

As always at the Dodhead Invitational the field shot out the traps with a raft of birdies and better in the opening holes but by the latter stages it was clear that the winner was another level from the rest of the field.

Stuart Allan was slated as second favourite going into the event at 6/1 with EuroDov saying, “Allan did not have a good time out at Pitffirane, and with it being his home course there was a huge amount of disappointment.

But look at it this way, he’s still a great talent on Tour, and he’s got happy memories at the Dodhead, if he rekindles his 2021 form round here, no one is catching him.”

And that’s exactly what happened! He didn’t quite reach the 6-under round of 2021 but at 4-under there wasn’t anyone even close to him with David McColgan saying after the round, “I was the best of the rest, but none of us were playing the same game as Stuart out there today, it wasn’t even a contest.”

We caught up with Stuart straight after his round and here’s what he had to say.

Congratulations on getting your first win of 2024 - how does it feel to be in the winner’s circle again?

“Thanks very much, it’s been too long but my OOM performances whilst being pretty consistent over the last year haven’t merited a win.

It’s actually really tough to win as so many mid handicappers in the field can have a good day and Dave is always there so probably right it’s my turn!”

It was fairly dominant win today, 4 shots, the largest winning margin of the season - how did the game feel out there?

“It’s been a really strange few weeks - my worst round of the year in the last round at Pitfirrane followed up the next day at the Kings at Gleneagles in single figures and I’ve followed it up with several similar rounds.

It was great to back that up in a comp today and started really well, had a couple of wobble holes but overall felt really in control.”

Many players have commented it was only a matter of time for you to win again - did you feel the pressure as you began to build your lead?

“I knew I was playing and scoring well, and it seemed that whenever I did have a bad hole, 5 & 12 for example, I followed it up with good holes straight after. However, am glad I had a 4-shot lead into 18 rather than 1.”

You've been pretty vocal in the past about your lack of wins, how does today's win change the focus for the year ahead?

“Not winning, more in contention to win as it hasn’t happened anywhere near enough as I’d like.

A bit of a monkey off my back and allows me to go for the final few events on courses that I like and can play well with a bit of confidence.”

Your 4-under win today ranks as the second-best tournament score ever in the Dodhead Invitational, you hold the record at 6-under - what is it you like about the Dodhead Invitational?

“It is a course I know pretty well, but the same can be said about Pitfirrane, you still need to go out and play the shots. I do feel it is a course that if you are a bigger hitter and can get that right then a low score is possible.”

You now sit second in the Order of Merit - what's the aim through the last 3 events of the season?

“The target is to go into Craigielaw with top spot to play for. Dave has built a strong lead but with double points it should be in reach, for a few players, and I’d like to be in the mix.”

Does your win come almost at the wrong time as the Order of Merit now shuts down for 7 weeks or does it give you some time to collect yourself ahead of the Kings Cup?

It’s great to go into the break with a win and as much as form and momentum would be great, I do think it may help to solidify my form and hopefully go into the business end of the season on an upward trajectory.”

It was another dominant display by Allan around Burntisland and reminiscent of the early years of the Order of Merit. Over the past few events he’s played himself in to contention and a second place in the Order of Merit will tee him up well for the final four rounds of the year.

We’re off to enjoy the break too, and we’ll be back at the start of July for the Anstruther Medal, then the Order of Merit returns with the Kings Cup at Canmore Golf Club on July 21st – until then, happy golfing!