The 2021 season came to a close on September 4th with the seventh playing of the RyDov Cup and the final Major of the EuroDov Tour season. The Montgomery cup is awarded to the best net score in the morning singles at the RyDov Cup and was first won in 2013 by Barry Cunningham.

The 2021 field included 7-time major winner and current Champion Golfer of the Year, David McColgan, one-time major winner’s Greig Baxter and Barry Cunningham.

In 2021 the Montgomery Cup was won by first time major winner Andy Love, after a blistering 7-under front nine Love held off the challenge of Graeme Connor (3-under par) and Allan Kinnear (1-under par) to lift the cup with a 4-under par score.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Love to talk about his first victory. So Andy Love, how does it feel to lift your first EuroDov Tour Major?

“It feels great, but more than a little surprising. Not because I didn’t think I’d be in with a chance, more so because my focus in the RyDov has always been on the team and collective success.”

Love started his round with a bogey but bounced back with a birdie-eagle before carding his second birdie on Par 3’s for the day. How did you feel early on in your round?

“Honesty, in those early holes I was just focusing on keeping pace with Willie [McColgan]. He went 2up through the first 2 and I was just trying to not let things get out of hand. It wasn’t until I’d pulled a hole back and then halved one (I think) that I realised I’d actually started pretty well.”

Love was one of a handful of players who played a full schedule on the EuroDov Tour in 2021. In June he managed his maiden victory in the King’s Cup at Canmore Golf Club and for many getting his hands on a major in 2021 was not expected. What was your take, Andy?

“As I said after the resounding win in the Kings Cup, I have these kinds of performances in me. It’s just a case of getting them more regularly. Anyone that’s played a few rounds with me this year wouldn’t be surprised by the win I suspect.”

Love’s 7-under par front nine was emphatic, but how did he handle the pressure into the back 9?
“I noticed that I was playing (gross) bogey golf through the front 9, and that was when I thought ‘if I keep this up I’m in with a shout of winning some individual honours’. It’s not a surprise that over the first 3 holes on the back 9 I was something like 11 over. I was definitely worried that I’d thrown away all my hard work on the front 9 and, most importantly, the match against Willie. Luckily, I got those holes out my system and got back on track.”

Love’s first Major also sees him qualify for the inaugural Invitational tournament in 2022, after his dominant performance in the Montgomery Cup many commentators have said he’ll have the target on his back come May. What are your thoughts on this Andy?

“As I said before, people that have played rounds with me will know the quality of my golf varies massively, so I don’t think I’ll have a target on my back, I think I’m more likely to be written off as people won’t expect me to repeat the form that got me qualified, that would be far too consistent. I’m quite happy to be written off.”

Love’s commitment to the Tour has been unwavering, playing a full schedule. Love won the King’s Cup and now holds his first major, so what’s his hopes for 2022?

“This season was about a lot of tweaking and adjustments, trying to find a consistent way of striking the ball. I now know the areas I need to work on over winter. I’ll get some lessons, get on the range and see how I feel going into next season. I’d have liked to end the tour season with a slightly lower handicap, but I’m confident I can start chipping away at it next year.”

Well, the final Major of the year is in the bag and Andy Love joins the list of EuroDov Tour Major winners. 2021 has been a hallmark year for the player and in 2022 he’ll have the chance to stake a claim for his second Major at the Invitational before competing in the Order of Merit, EuroDov Cup and finally defending his title as the Montgomery Cup winner.