2024 was the third year of the Inchkeith Cup – normally played over Kinghorn, Aberdour and Burntisland, it had a slightly different rota than usual due to the relocation of the MCM.

So, in 2024 the Kinghorn Classic, MCM @ Pitffirane and Dodhead Invitational made up the events that counted towards the trophy.

To qualify for the event players must card at least 2 rounds of the three designated events with the best two scores to par contributing to the competition.

Kicking off at Kinghorn the field had a fairly benign day compared to recent years and the early lead was set by Stuart Sutherland who carded a 2-under par round, followed by David McColgan who recorded a 1-under par score.

As the players headed on to the inland parkland course of Pitffirane at Dunfermline Golf Club the best scores on the belonged to Richard Mair and David McColgan who both signed for rounds of 1-under par.
After 2 rounds played the top 5 in the standings were; David McColgan -2; D. Duncan & R. Mair +4; S. Sutherland +8; P. Gowens +10; G. Connor +12.

Despite enjoying a 6 shot lead heading into the Dodhead Invitational, David McColgan of all people knows it can all change in the final tournament.

In 2022 he led heading into the final event only to watch Paul Gowens sink a 30-footer to clinch the Cup, and as he led in the clubhouse after the Dodhead Invitational in 2023, he watched Barry Cunningham card a score to win by 1 and snatch the trophy from his hands.

Heading into the final round he knew that an under-par round from Richard Mair would challenge his lead, a score of 4-under from Kevin Brannan was beat him, like wise for Daniel Peck – all well within the realms of possibility.

In the end, despite the conditions at the Dodhead the only under par round of the day was Stuart Allan, who clawed back a 4-over at Kinghorn with a 4-under at Burntisland to finish level for the event and 2 shots behind McColgan.

The Top 10 in the final standings were; D. McColgan -2; Stuart Allan Lvl; D. Peck +3; D. Duncan, R. Mair & S. Orr +4; K. Brannan +6; J. Robertson +7; P. Gowens & S. Sutherland +8.

We managed to catch-up with McColgan post round and get his reaction.

Afternoon David and congratulations on wining the Inchkeith Cup, how does it feel?

“Hi guys, great to chat again. It’s great to get my hands on this and have my name alongside 2 legends of the Tour.”

You entered the event with a fairly comfortable lead, how did you approach the Dodhead with that in mind?

“I am not sure there is anything remotely like a comfortable lead in this event. For many it’s probably a side event, surplus to the tasks in hand that are the Kinghorn Classic, MCM @ Pitffirane and Dodhead Invitational, but it’s a great trophy to win.

It really rewards early season form, and I know fine well how quickly the lead can change here, having lost it on the final hole twice before.”

Was that going through your mind as you watched Stuart Allan’s score on the leaderboard?

“I’ll be honest it wasn’t. There are so many permutations in this event that sometimes it is really hard to work out what’s going on till it’s all over.

I hadn’t clocked his 4-over at Kinghorn and if someone had told me that in the latter stages of my round, I might have started getting a bit more nervous.”

The Inchkeith is the 3rd trophy you’ve lifted this season, but you are still to win an Order of Merit event – does that register somewhere in your mind?

“I think if I am totally honest this year was about winning the Invitational, having done that the rest is a bonus. I am delighted to have gotten the win in Portugal – that was a real monkey on my back – and great to have won the Inchkeith as well.”

You are sitting top of the Order of Merit by 1350 points with just 4 events to go is it going to be 3 Majors in a row?

“Well let’s not get ahead of ourselves, there is plenty of golf to be had and plenty of points. If someone goes out and wins the next 2 events and wins both rounds at the Tour Champs that’s 7,200 points in the bag.
I am not counting my chickens at all.”

Talk us through the 3 events remaining then, where’s your head at on these?

“Well the Kings Cup is an event I need to really concentrate on, it’s a fun course, but it is massively weighted towards the higher handicapper, the shorter length really reduces any benefit I gain from my distance.”

But you came up the 18th tied for the lead in 2023…

“Yeah, and double bogeyed to fall to 3rd, it is one I need to really focus on and play well.

I really enjoy Lochgelly, as a former junior club champion there I feel I know the course well enough to score well, it might be short but it rewards accuracy and that’s something I can play with.

And of course there is Craigielaw. It’s a beast – especially if the wind gets up like 2023. I love it, it’s pure links golf and rewards good ball striking, but one foot out of place and it beats you up like nothing else on Tour.

Put it this way, no matter what happens, we’re in for a wild ride up to and through the Tour Champs.”

Well that fees like as good a point to finish on, congrats on the win in the Inchkeith Cup and good luck with the season ahead.