Following the announcement of the 2023 Carnegie Cup squad EuroDov Reporter brings you a run down of the team, their Tour credentials and some of the interesting dynamics that Captain Kevin Brannan will face in putting together his afternoon pairings.

The 12 man squad boasts 4 founding members of the Tour, 4 out of 6 of the Tour’s Major winners with a total of 14 Major’s between them. The squad collectively has 42 Tour honours amongst them and all players hail from the Top 15 in the official Tour Rankings.

Let’s crack on and look at the squad starting from the top.

Kevin Brannan – Captain

Brannan is a founding member of the EuroDov Tour, competing in the first ever event – 2013 RyDov Cup. Brannan boasts an impressive RyDov Cup record, namely being on the winning side 7 out of 7 appearances.
In 2022 Brannan broke his Tour duck with a win in the 36 hole Tour Championships. His year could have been so much better losing out on winning his first Major – EuroDov Cup – and the Tournament of Champions but fractions of an inch both times.

Brannan will relish Captaining the Tour around his home course, Burntisland, and he’ll be determined to lead from the front and bring home points in both formats.

Stevie Orr – Vice Captain

Orr is a relative newbie on the Tour, currently occupying 18th spot on the Tour Rankings. Brannan used a Captain’s pick to bring Orr into the side and immediately appointed him as a playing Vice Captain.

Orr had a great 2022, although limited Order of Merit appearances didn’t help his rankings, a beaten finalist in the Anstruther Medal and runner-up in the Bruce Shield at the end of year RyDov Cup give a clear
indication on why he’s in the squad.

Orr’s performance in 2022, and specifically his scoring at the RyDov Cup have earned him a spot at the 2023 Invitational Tournament and participation in the season opening Makor the EuroDov Cup will have him well prepared come May.

David McColgan –

McColgan qualifies for the team by virtue of his #1 spot in the Tour Rankings and despite both teams knowing little about each other, he’s likely to have a target on his back.

McColgan leads the Tour with 9 Majors and 10 Tour wins to his name.

His inclusion in the squad will be a boost to Captain Brannan’s hopes and his familiarity with Burntisland will make him an easy player to pair in the Foursomes.

Stuart Allan –

Allan holds the #3 spot in the Tour Rankings and in 2022 had a stellar year finishing runner-up in the Order of Merit. Although 2022 was a winless year for Allan his consistency cannot be faulted throughout.

His 2nd place finish in the OoM is testament to that, and his 74 in the RyDov Cup saw him qualify in the top 8 for the 2023 Invitational.

Allan is also a member at Burntisland and Brannan will be excited to note his 1 Tour win – coming in 2021 – was at Burntisland.

Allan Kinnear –

Kinnear plays a limited rota on the EuroDov Tour, but despite that still holds the #4 spot in the rankings. He’s a power player, who’s length off the tee and finesse around the green is intimidating in matchplay.

Kinnear finished of 2022 with 2 Tour victories, in only 2 appearances. He won the Anstruther Plate, partnering Jim Robertson (might we see them making a re-appearance come May?) and in September he lifted the season ending Major, the Montgomery Cup.

Kinnear’s pedigree for this format is undoubtable. He has the leading win ration in the RyDov Cup and he’ll be looking forward to staking a claim for similar honors at the Carnegie Cup.

Denis Duncan –

Duncan has been on Tour since 2016 and has been an ever-present player. In 2022 he won his first Tour event lifting the Forrester Open and only finished out the top 2 in the 2022 Order of merit once.

2023 saw him struggle a bit ore than usually, but he’s a strong player with great knowledge of Burntisland. Denis will be tenacious opponent to anyone come May.

Graeme Connor –

Connor is a relevant newbie on Tour joining 2020. In his last 2 RyDov Cup appearances he’s finished runner-up in the season ending Major.

His 2022 Order of Merit debut was solid enough but hampered by limited start. Connor has form in the matchplay format lifting the Anstruther Plate and Anstruther Medal in back-to-back years.

A steady and consistent player, his extensive knowledge of Burntisland will benefit the team hugely.

Andy Love –

The only other multiple-major winner on Tour, Love currently holds the #9 spot in the Tour Rankings. His 2022 got off to a great start lifting the inaugural Invitational Tournament, to give him 2 Majors in 2 starts.

Love has 4 Tour victories to his name and is a fierce competitor. His commitment to winning and excellence will be an asset to the team and watch for him coming up big in the tough moments.

Another player with extensive knowledge of Burntisland, Brannan will be glad he’s in his team room.

Stuart Sutherland –

Sutherland is yet to get an individual win on Tour, but did lift the Kinross Medal in 2016 partnered with McColgan (might we see them play again in 2023?)

Sutherland is a founding member of the Tour and an ever-present player in the RyDov Cup, making 8 appearances in 8 events.

His knowledge of Burntisland will give Brannan a boost, and Sutherland always plays best when comfortable, watch out for a good showing come May.

Greig Baxter –

Baxter is the 5th Major winner to make the team. His win in Portugal in 2019 put him in the bracket of Major winner, and one that is thoroughly deserved.

However, Brannan’s Captain’s pick here was for one thing and one thing only, Baxter’s Matchplay pedigree. He won the inaugural Anstruther Medal, playing as a solo player, against fourball opponents.

He’ll show all the grit and determination against the SanWedge Tour come May for sure.

Kieran Lynch -

Lynch doesn't play a full rota on the EuroDov Tour, but when he does play he comes to compete. Lynch's game has steadily improved over the years and in 2022 he qualified for the Invitational Tournament with a top-8 finish at the Montgomery Cup.

Many will dismiss him in this team but he has a very relaxed view of golf which makes him an infuriating matchplay and couple with his growing ability he'll take on anyone on the day.

Jim Robertson –

Robertson is yet to win a solo event on Tour but his consistency and determination are undoubted. In 2022 he carried his partner Kinnear through a tough stretch at the Anstruther Medal to claim the Plate final.

He is doggedly consistent off the tee and into the green making it hard for opponents to break away from him.

Under-estimate him at your peril.

That takes us on a quick look at the team but what are the challenges for Brannan in team selection?

The singles match-up is likely to be academic, it’ll really depending on Brannan’s approach. 8 of the team are either members of, or have extensive knowledge of Burntisland, which means each grouping is likely to have an excellent course knowledge in it.

Will Brannan go out fast up front and play the best players, or will he spread them throughout the field?

There is something to be said in this format about putting the first points on the board, but psychologically it is always good to see points come rolling in throughout the morning, Brannan will need to decide how his team will best respond.

What will the afternoon pairings look like?

There are several options here for Brannan. If he back’s his team in the morning to come home with a sizeable lead, we could see a few power-pairings go out early to put the SanWedge Tour to the sword.

2 pairings including any combination of Allan, Baxter, Connor, Kinnear & McColgan would surely be unstoppable.

However there are strong pairings all over this 12 man squad Love/McColgan could produce some good golf, might we see Kinnear/Robertson partner back up, McColgan/Sutherland have a winning history as too do Baxter/Love.

The combinations are limitless for Brannan, but one thing that is likely to happen is Kinnear, Lynch, Orr, & Robertson will find themselves paired with a player with good knowledge of the course.

Of course we’ll need to wait till May 28th to find out the answer to many of these, but for now here is the EuroDov Tour team to face the SanWedge Tour at Burntisland Golf House Club.