Well, that’s it folks, the 2023 Order of Merit is over. It all started in April this year at the Home of Golf, St Andrews, and ended at Scotland’s Golf Coast via Kinghorn, Aberdour, Burntisland, Canmore and Lochgelly – and what a journey it has been.

We entered the Tour Championships with 5 winners over 6 events, a battle for the James Braid Quaich and a battle for survival and we walked away with a very worthy winner.

Craigielaw did not hold back, a firm and fast course, with fierce rough and a strong wind, battered the field in the morning but calmer conditions prevailed in the afternoon and as the sun set over Craigielaw and the Order of Merit season, Stuart Allan had his hands on silverware again at the 24th time of asking. We sat down with Allan immediately after the Tour Champs to get his perspective.

Welcome, Stuart Allan, Tour Championship winner for 2023 - how does that sound?

“It is brilliant - a great way to finish the season and to do it over a tough course like Craigielaw makes it even better.”

You become only the 4th player to win multiple OoM events - how does that feel?

“It doesn’t feel like multiple as my last win was so long ago. Hopefully this sets me up well and I can start the 2024 season in similar form.”

Allan joins McColgan (*), Gowens (2) and Mair (2) as the only players to have won multiple Order of Merit events, since the start of the OoM era. It has indeed been 24 starts in all EuroDov Tour competition since you last win in June 2021 - were you beginning to wonder if it’d ever come?

“Not even so much winning, but it feels like I haven’t even been in contention to win until recently.

My game has been trending upwards from mid-season, came a close 2nd at Canmore, lost in the final of the Anstruther Medal and played well at Lochgelly before going OB on the 18th so I’m happy with where my game is.”

Your performance today pushed you up to 4th in the OoM, that’s your second year in a row in the money positions - that must feel good?

“It feels a bit undeserved to be honest. I have been poor in a few events and the double points Tour Champs has bumped me up - I’m not complaining though and I’ll take it.”

Your season has been a bit boom or bust - did you have expectations to win today?

“I didn’t think about winning, my target today was to finish high enough in both rounds to give myself a chance of top 4 overall. Turns out that’s exactly what happened but delighted to take the win too.”

You opened with a +7 over on round 1, 7 shots off the lead. What goes through your mind preparing for Round 2?

“I don’t feel like I played poorly in round 1, it just felt like when I was getting some momentum, I’d have a setback. Round 2 built momentum from the first few holes and I built a solid round. I’m really pleased how I plotted my way round with a view to scoring well and staying in contention.”

You and Graeme Connor wear tearing up the course in Rd 2 - is it easier when you’ve got someone alongside you playing well too?

“I genuinely think this is a big reason for my positive round. Graeme and I were both playing well and matching each other hole by hole, none of us knowing we were at the top of the leaderboard. He birdied 15 and I bogeyed to give a 2 shot swing so I was really happy to turn it around in the final stretch. “

As you came to the end of your round we’re you aware how close you were to winning?

“I knew I was close to winning the 2nd round, but I didn’t know the overall impact and the combined scores from round 1. I actually sunk a 12 ft putt at the last for a net birdie, which ultimately won me the title, I knew it would help but I didn’t know just how important it was at the time.”

What happens from here? You’ve got an exemption from Q-School for 2024, does that free you up a bit for next season?

“I’m only looking up for next season and want to build on a strong finish to the 2023 season. More consistency and in contention in the majority of rounds is the next step. That will deliver points and possible prizes.”

Some thoughts on the 2023 rookies - Mair won 2 events and you beat Greenshields in a countback. What do you think about their season?

“A great season from both and have added a more competitive edge to the Tour. I think all the rookies have really enjoyed the set up, but Ally and Dickie have performed really well.”

What are your thoughts on 2024 - any hopes and ambitions at this time?

“We all have a collective responsibility to close the gap on Dave. We need a Championship race and I’m hoping that if I can carry on where I’ve left off then I can lead the chasing pack. Looking forward to it already!!”

Quite the way to sign off the season by winning your first event of the season. Allan might look at Kevin Brannan who did the same feat in 2022 before heading on to win the first 2 Majors of his career in 2023.

The From the Locker Team have been busy at Craigielaw, so make sure you check out all our news, insight and analysis from the Order of Merit curtain closer.

We’ll be back for the RyDov Cup on Saturday 2nd September, until then, happy golfing!