It’s always a great day at Tulliallan Golf Club, the course is fun and challenging, and the golf is always of the highest calibre.

The FTLR guys also enjoy the nice spacious and not so smelly locker rooms, and the multiple story lines running throughout the day. And 2024 was no different.

Can McNeill win back-to-back Majors just like Brannan and Love? Will Cunningham lift his second Major after a 10 year wait? Will Allan and Mair fulfil their destiny and get that illusive Major and ever since the Invitational was created, can McColgan complete the career grand slam?

The FTLR boys were out in full watching the golf and we were treated to one of the most nail-biting finishes but having the privilege of seeing Mair’s 18th hole we knew as the final group came up the 18th that McColgan’s story line would be the one we’re talking about. EuroDov Reporter gave him an 11% chance of this moment at the start of the season and now we get the privilege to sit down and chat with the EuroDov Tour’s first ever multiple Grand slam winner.

David, great to get the chance to speak to you, career grand slam winner, how does that sound?

“Hi guys – thanks for having me and great to be here again.

I can’t quite describe how it sounds if I am honest, it’s been a tough day out there on the course and there were a couple of times I didn’t think it would happen, but to have my hands on the trophy and the career grand slam complete – it just feels amazing!”

At the start of the season EuroDov Reporter gave you an 11% chance of this moment happening, what do you have to say to them now?

“Well in their defense I think they are looking at the probability of it happening, and when you look at the field out there, it was much more probable someone else would come through the field and win – so I’ll let them off – haha!”

Well, you mentioned there were a couple of times you didn’t think it would happen, and it might be someone else’s day, do you want to elaborate on that?

“The morning round I was pretty convinced it wasn’t my day. I was hitting the ball well and scored reasonably well, except my double on 8 (I am sure you’ll comeback to that) but Stuart Allan in the group behind was all over the place off the tee, but every time I looked back his second shot was in the heart of the green. When someone is playing like that you do wonder if the golfing gods are with you.

And after 5 holes in the morning, I fully thought I had thrown it. I had leaked 4 shots in 4 holes, that’s almost unheard of from me, and it’s a long way back.”

What do you say to yourself at that point, how do you rally?

“To be honest I remember standing on the 7th tee after steadying the ship a bit and said to Stuart and Kev, let’s stop with the silly golf and start playing. Credit to all of us I think we were level par over the next 3 holes.”

Ok let’s go back to the start, you parred the first 4 holes and then birdied 5, what goes through your mind there?

“That’s the first time I had ever birdied that hole! I said to myself when that putt fell, things are feeling good, swing was in a good place, driver, irons, putter were working, just keep patient, hit greens and take your chances.”

You sure did because you followed your birdie on 5 up with one on 7, then the 8th. Let’s hear about it from you.

“Look, it wasn’t my finest moment, I apologized to Paul and Peck as soon as I was on the 9th tee, and boy did that ball get hit hard on the 9th haha!

I leaked my 4 wood off the tee but luckily landed next to a staked tree. I popped a 9-iron green side. It wasn’t the best of chips, and my par putt burned the hole. I rushed myself and just stabbed the bogey putt and missed.

It was inexcusable and I was rushing myself. In 2 minutes of blurred thinking, I dropped two shots, that were hard earned on previous holes.

I remember walking up the 9th fairway after my tee shot thinking – I had been an idiot to get angry, but at the same time, I thought you only did it because you want it, and that fired me on.”

At the worst point in the afternoon, you were 5 off the lead, you made the turn 3 off the lead, what was your through process for the back nine?

“Everyone knows that Tulliallan demands the most out of you over the middle section. It’s not an easy course. If you look at Rich’s card, he dropped 2 shots on 8 and 9 and I knew there’d be more to come.”

You were right after a double on 12 from Rich you were tied for the lead. You managed 3 birdies on the last 6 holes but let’s focus on the 17th. Talk us through it.

“17 is a funny hole, every year I have played it I have laid up off the tee, and more often than not found trouble. This year’s approach was to pull the driver and give it a good old smack.

In the afternoon I knew I was tied for the lead, my drive split the fairway and landed perfect in the middle of the fairway, just 50 years from the pin.”

At this point were you aware of what was happening up front?

“Not at all, I was too focused on my shot – I haven’t played 17 well the last 4 rounds I have played – I knew it was an accessible pin and it was a very good number.”

Accessible and good number it was almost simultaneously your ball nearly found the cup from the fairway as Mair’s found the trees off the tee – when were you aware of the drama?

“When I was standing on 17, I had marked my ball and was composing myself on the green, at that point I saw the group in front in the trees. Callum found the ball and when he shouted, I noticed Richard walking towards it. I knew then that he was in trouble.”

You of course had to sink your putt for birdie and did, what was the thoughts heading to 18?

“Well, I had no idea what was unfolding up a head.

I remember standing over the ball and just saying out loud – one more good drive David.”

And one more good drive it was, almost carbon copy of the morning. We were all watching you come up 18 and there was a moment you seemed to change, your gait became lighter, and your smile broader – talk to us about that walk.

“Well, I didn’t really know what had happened but as I approached my ball I saw the leaderboard and Stuarty and Kev congratulated me.

I think I had 7 shots to get down from 70 yards.

It was actually hard hitting that wedge in because I was just so relieved to be in the situation to win.”

Before we look forward, talk to me about the field today?

"Look the Invitational is one of the hardest events to win, and absolute credit to Kev and Andy who have done it before me. It's a stacked field. It's the top 9 players from the Montgomery Cup which is our largest field every year - to play here you've got to be good."

And what about Richard Mair, who's 18th hole collapse cost him the chance of his first Major?

"This isn't what Richard is going to be known for. It is only a matter of time before he claims a Major, he's just too good - I mean he's ranked #2 in the OTR, that tells you a lot."

And Stuart Allan?

"Stuart's biggest hurdle is the pressure he puts himself under. He's an outstanding player and played well all day. There is no question he'll get a Major, none whatsoever."

Well, you sit here with your first Invitational Tournament, 11th Major and the career grand slam – what’s next?

“I am not really thinking about what’s next if I am honest, I am just so grateful to have had the chance to play in the Invitational tournament and my win today gives me a 2-year exemption, which will make the Montgomery Cup a bit more fun this year.”

You’re telling me the minute that putt dropped you didn’t think about the James Braid Quaich and Montgomery Cup – and the potential to hold all 4 in one year?

“Not at all – genuinely not even got that far.”

We’ll believe you, but thousands wouldn’t. Before you go let’s address the elephant in the room. There have been persistent rumours that you might not play any more OoM event until the Tour Champs in August – care to put the rumour to bed?

“It wasn’t a rumour, it was a serious consideration. However, I have the chance now to win 3 Majors in a row, and maybe a 4th, it’s hard to see me passing that opportunity up. So, I can confirm I’ll be playing the MCM @ Pitffirane on the 19th.”

What a story from the 2024 Invitational Tournament. It might not be a rags to riches, or under dog story that we all wanted but it certainly one of personal battle, overcoming the individual pressure and pressure of a watchful Tour – maybe it’ll inspire other golfers on the cusp of completing grand slams, on this Tour or another.

We’ve loved covering the 2024 Invitational, we’re sure the tournament is going to go from strength to strength and we’ll be back in 2025, but first the small matter of the rest of the season and first stop is the MCM @ Pitffirane.