The opening weekend of the season feels like Christmas, Easter and any other good thing in life rolled into one.

We were delighted to get out on the course, but it was evident with the buzz around the first tee the players were even more delighted to be out there.

It was a great day for golf, and there were some great scores across the field, but in the end McColgan lifted his third St Andrews Open by 1 shot. But let’s find out what the players thought of the course, the competition and season ahead.

Good evening gents - that's the first Order of Merit event in the bag, how does it feel to be back out there again?

Paul Gowens, eventual runner-up said, “Yeah, it was good to be out again. The EuroDov Cup opens the season but nothing better than playing at the home of golf on what was personally a new track for me.”

Stuart Allan said, “It’s been another long winter so the first tee at the Eden is always a welcome sight.”

Kevin Brannan said, “Absolutely bloody fantastic. It's been a long winter being couped up in the house. The early end to my season last year made that wait even longer than usual. “

Ally Greenshields said, “Loved it, good to get back into some competitive golf after a long winter break.”

How did you find course and conditions today? It was a nice break from the usual battering you take in the season opener?

Stuart Allan said, “The last few years have seen really difficult conditions in St Andrews, so it was a very welcome change to have nice weather and moderate winds. It’s a tough and open course so the weather has a bigger impact than most venues. The course itself is what we have come to now expect, fast greens and links fairways. A great start to the season!!”

Richard Mair, “Cracking weather and a privilege to kick off the season at the home of golf. Course is in good condition, but I’m not the biggest fan of links golf.”

We had 6 of the 12 players in the field leading at some point in the day, are we going to see a much closer battle for points in 2025?

Paul Gowens said, “Kev and Calum commented on how standards improve year on year, players and tour itself. We made use of the new timers on more than one occasion. The ethos of the tour is to help us all get better and ready for competitive golf and its defiantly doing that”

Stevie Orr said, “I believe so. Certain courses and conditions favour different people, so it will be interesting to see how it all pans out at the end of the season.”

Stuart Allan said, “The field will be a mix at every event, settle handicaps and a range of abilities so it’s really down to the performance on the day.”

Brannan said, “Over the past number of years, the quality and consistency of golf across the field has increased dramatically. Like the rising tide, all players have raised their games with the added competition. I would think that this year, the dispersion of scores around the mean at each event will be lower than it's ever been before.”

EuroDov Reporter predicted the top 3 ahead of the tournament, are you going to start paying more attention to their analyses pre tournament?

Scott Gowens said, “Hard to tell after just one event but he seems to know the field well.”

Stuart Allan said, “Although there are several newcomers, the girls know more and more of each other games. Different courses will suit different playing styles and abilities so it will be an interesting and closer season.”

Paul Gowens said, “All the tours PGA, LPGA Liv etc work on the stats and the data doesn't lie."

The field played 9 holes over par on average and only 3 holes under par - do you think that was a fair reflection of the challenge out there?

Kevin Brannan said, “The greens were a menace today and I think a lot of shots were left out there. Finding a green was no guarantee of a 2 putt and every 3 footer was a knee knocker. I saw some brilliant golf played and think that the scores were a reflection of the short games early in the season.”

Richard Mair said, “The wind was strong enough to play a difference out there. The fairway bunkers protect the course too, so I’m not surprised.”

Ally Greenshields said, “Playing into that wind was no joke, proper links conditions, and difficult to adapt to after a winter of ball smashing at the range.”

Scott Gowens was T6th until he came unstuck on the 17th hole - is it time to recognise the strength of the players who have come through Q-School these days?

Stuart Allan said, “Every player deserves respect and Dave aside, we will all show a level of inconsistency. It’s great to see Scott doing well and hopefully a positive season.”

Kevin Brannan said, “Absolutely, the guys who are promoted from Q-school have as much right as anybody else to be there.”

Stevie Orr said, “Absolutely! Scott is a steady player, and on his day, can win a tournament on the tour.”
Let's talk about the 17th, it claimed 2 new victims this year - what's your initial thoughts when you step on that tee each year?

Paul Gowens said, “It was my first time so no pre-fears - a decent swing aim left faded into fairway.”

Scott Gowens said, “First time playing the course but at about the 14th hole my playing partners warned me about the hole and let's just say they were right .”

Stuart Allan said, “Aim further left than you normally would! It is a mental test as much as golf ability and several scorecards have been ruined, one of which I had a front row seat! A killer hole!”

Richard Mair said, “I’m guessing I’m one of the victims being referred to. Out of bounds didn’t bother me. Topping my drive then finding every bunker on the hole didn’t do me any favours though! I’ll have to wait until next year to redeem myself.”

Ally Greenshields said. “Well, I know what my thoughts will be next year…get the putter out.”

Is there another hole on Tour that is as infamous as that one?

Paul Gowens said. “There’s one at the Tour Champs at Craigielaw with a few infamous bunkers.”

Brannan says, “I certainly can't think of one with the incredible history it has on tour, with many challenges coming to an end there. I don't think it's the hardest hole on the rota but it makes everybody think twice about what they're going to do.”

Mair said, “For me personally it’s 18th at Craigielaw. It’s chewed me up every round and it’s definitely living rent free in my head.”

Orr said, “I would say the 11th at Canmore is treacherous as well with that blind second shot. You never quite know where your ball is landing.”

McColgan rattled off a 3-under par 67 today to claim his third St Andrews Open - what's your thoughts on that, and how does this affect the field heading forward?

Paul Gowens said, “On his game skill and experience will always win the day. But for Dave with his HCP the margins for error are so tight.

I think nobody will be as good over multiple rounds or across a season, but with an ever increasing and improving field IF some else has a good day and shoots the lights out then who knows.”

Allan said, “With Dave’s reduced OOM entries this year, I’m sure he’ll be trying extra to make sure he maximises his points opportunities. A brilliant round that deserved top spot and no doubt he is the man to be beat come Craigielaw too!”

Brannan said, “brilliant scoring, it's a marker for the rest of the season. He's set the standards early and it's going to be tough to overcome him. He's not been shy in telling everyone the work he's been doing in the off season and it's no surprise to see it paying off.”

Orr said, “I think given the conditions, David was always going to be favourite for the win. He seems to be playing well just now, which doesn’t bode well. However, there are plenty of other events to go.”

Scott Gowens said, “McColgan played a really smart game all day think it will motivate a lot of guys on tour.”

Well, there we have it folks, the first Players’ reaction of 2025 and we look forward to bringing you more insight as the season goes on.