The season is underway and the bags are unpacked from the EuroDov Cup. But is there another week on the Tour that we love more than our trip to the Home of Golf, maybe not!

It was great to be back alongside the Eden estuary, the site of 2 dramatic St Andrews Cups, and you can add a third one to that.

As we mooched around the locker room – they are really nice at the Home of Golf by the way – we got news of the drama unfolding on the course. Our research team was pulling off all the data on Love as we watched him waltz through the first 15 holes, but as he began to find trouble on 16 and again on 17 it was apparent it wouldn’t be needed.

Alan Duncan – who is better known on Tour for his attire than his golf – outlasted the field to lift his first ever Tour event, without ever looking likely to win one in the past.

We got the chance to sit down with him straight after his win and here all about.

Alan, welcome to the winners circle, how does it feel?

“Thanks guys it’s a pleasure joining you, especially with such good players who’ve come before me.

It feels great to first ever Tour win, especially in my first event in the Order of Merit and at the Home of Golf, St Andrews.”

To say you haven't had the best of times on Tour would be an understatement, 2 wooden spoons in the Montgomery Cup and a 4th and 7th place finish in the EuroDov Cup - was winning today ever on the cards?

“You’re totally correct, I have had some very poor results in the past. Normally I blow up and my temperament gets the better of me. But today was, how do I put it, just WOW! Welcome to the Alan Duncan.

To be fair though, the thought of me ever winning a stroke play event isn’t something I ever envisaged. I’d have just been happy beating Denis and Stuarty Allan.”

Your front 9 today had 1 Eagle, 3 birdies and bogey in a sensational 4-under par. How happy were you with your golf?

“The front nine was for me incredible, I should have birded the 1st, then dropping a shot on the 2nd followed by a birdie on 3 really put me in the mood.

Playing alongside Jim (Robertson) and (Kevin) Brannan was really good, it was a relaxed and fun group.”

Despite such a good front 9 you were 2 off the lead at the point, what were you thinking then?

“After 9 was so relaxed, I was just in the zone really.
I was just thinking try to play out 18 holes an error or two will happen and when it does just relax and take it in your stride.”

You finished out your round with three pars, were you at all aware of what was unfolding behind you?

“As before, I was playing well thinking about shots especially up 16 and 17 into the wind. I did not look at the leaderboard once during 18 holes.”

As you were walking on to the 18th tee you were 1 shot off the lead and 1 shot ahead of 3rd, what goes through your mind when you are in that position?

“All I was thinking about as I walked on to the green was, I hit a great second shot.
I was a good bit away from hole with an awkward pin position, so I relaxed myself by saying a 3 putt for a 5 here is a not bad place to finish. And as I said before I was completely unaware off the position in but I knew I was playing well and I would be up there in the end.

After I got off the green, I heard the news that Andy Love’s bottle had crashed on 16 and 17. At that point my mind just turned to the fact I was about to take the title at the Eden off a certain Mr David McColgan.”

Your win today puts you top of the OoM standings and lifts you into the Top 20 of the official Tour Rankings - what's the aim for the rest of the season?

“My aim is to be more consistent, keep a lid on my emotions and trying to avoid playing with my brother he brings my game down (haha).

After winning today, I can be excused for looking at the OoM and getting my hands on the James Braid Quaich come August. Now I want to push on and win another event.

As they say if you don’t shoot for the moon, you will never be a champ”

Well there we have it folks, Alan Duncan who’s magical clothing finally has 18-holes to match it. So often dismissed on the first tee, courtesy of his Tour record, the Tour has a new Champion and a new player to watch in 2023.

Join us on April 30th at the Kinghorn Classic, for more insight and analysis straight from the players mouths.