What a finish it was to the 2024 Kinghorn Classic. Those final two holes never fail to throw-up excitement year in year out.

We had 3 players in the hunt over the final three holes and one by one Peck, then McColgan, dropped away as Stuart Sutherland come shooting through like an exocet missile to claim the win.

Sutherland becomes on the second person in Tour history to win back to back opening events in the Order of Merit and he’s firmly embedded himself at the top of the Order of Merit standings with a 400 point lead after 2 events.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with him to chat through the second win and what it means for the season ahead.

In 144 holes of golf on the Order of Merit, Sutherland hadn’t recorded a win on Tour, but in the last 36 he’s lifted 2 titles and he’s the hottest commodity on Tour. So tell me, how does it feel to grab your second win?

“Hi guys, it feels brilliant - I’ve really changed my mentality towards Order of Merit and out there enjoying my golf. I am also working hard on improving my fitness. It’s great to see it paying off!”

You won your first event at the St Andrews Open, what did this mean for you preparation for Kinghorn?

“Genuinely, I did as little as possible! I’ve played less golf this year than in recent years, partly due to family life being extremely busy. I’m at the gym 3 times a week now and definitely seeing benefits of that later in the round of golf.”

Let’s talk about your round, you didn't light up the course early on, but your round got better and better as it went on, how did you feel you played?

“⁠I was running very late for my tee time and only just arrived as we were due on the tee bank. It took a while to warm up, but I was really just concentrating on keeping 8s of my score card and focusing on enjoying my round. Take most amount of pressure off.”

How did you find the greens, you had some spectacular putts that others really struggled with?

“The greens were lightning fast! Very tricky. Just tried to get my first putt as close to the hole as possible and got very lucky with some dropping in!”

Let's talk about your back nine, you started with a double bogey 6 on the 10th then shot 5 under for the last 8 holes - where did that come from?

“⁠I don’t usually pull my drives – so goodness knows where that came from on 10. Luckily we found my ball and I was able to keep an 8 off my card.

I just tried to relax on last 8 holes. In particular last 3 holes! Even with Dave [McColgan] in my ear!”

Did you know you were in the hunt near the end?

“⁠Coming off 16 yes, thanks to Dave! And he reminded me at every opportunity in the last two holes!”

You're last three holes combined for 4-under including a fantastic birdie on the 18th, how did it feel to sink the putt knowing you had won?

“⁠I still don’t like the finish at Kinghorn. The last two holes are a real test. Mr Gowens had a quiet word in my ear on 18 and just told me to take my time.”

You are now leading the OoM and firmly have a target on your back, does this change how you approach the rest of the season?

“⁠No change for me. It’s genuinely been a real surprise this first two events. I’m playing with no expectations and really enjoying my golf again.”

What's the realistic aim for the 2024 now, many people are talking about you as a possible OoM winner, is this the aim?

“⁠No, realistically I’m just going to keep my head down and play my golf. We’ll see what happens at the end of it. It’s taken me 3 seasons to get a win, I know how tight things can be.”

Well there we have it folks Sutherland has claimed his second title, we’re only 4 events in to 2024 and we’ve not only seen a first time winner, but we’ve seen a first time multiple winner as well.

I wonder what other stories from the 2024 season might come to fruition as the season progresses.

Join us on May 19th for the MCM which has a new home at Piffirane.