The Kinghorn Classic marked the fourth event of the Order of Merit and whilst the field were focussed on bagging the 1200 Order of Merit points available for the winner there was also the small matter of winning the maiden Inchkeith Cup.

2022 saw the first time the players played for the trophy that is named after the island that lies halfway between the Kingdom of Fife and the City of Edinburgh. The island can be seen prominently from Burntisland, Aberdour and Kinghorn, three courses that feature on the Order of Merit schedule.

To be eligible for the competition players had to complete at least 2 out of the 3 events with their best two scores counting if they played all three. The winner was the player with the best score to par.

After the wind-battered players left the 18th green at Kinghorn we caught up with the maiden winner of the Cup, Paul Gowens.

Paul carded a 7-under par round on his way to winning the MCM @ Aberdour in May and a 7-over par round as runner up at the Kinghorn Classic. His overall score of Even par was enough to beat the field and lift the spoils.

So, Paul, how does it feel to win the first ever Inchkeith Cup?

“Yep, pretty blown away if I am honest. I knew I had done well at Aberdour (my best ever round) so just tried to keep it steady for today.”

Your first counting round in the competition was a 7-under par around Aberdour, did that give you confidence heading into Kinghorn today?

“I knew a short course would suit me and Aberdour and Kinghorn offered me those opportunities.
It was really tough today – I was hitting a lot of 3 woods off the tee just to keep it in play and had to keep going up 2 or 3 clubs for approaches.”

We've discussed your win at Aberdour, but in reflection how big a result was that for you?

“It was a massive performance for me. It was my first ever competition on the EuroDov Tour and to get a win was incredible.”

You were level par through 11 holes today at Kinghorn - you must have felt at that point you had a real chance of winning the InchKeith Cup?

“Mmm…sort of although I knew there were going to be some difficult holes coming up.”

You dropped 5 shots in 2 holes - how were the nerves then?

“Still ok – it is what it is, and after the two 7s I seemed to steady again.

My game was steady but not terrible all day, so I knew if I just kept going I’d be fine.”

Let's talk about the 18th hole - how were you feeling when you found your tee shot in the thorns?

“First of all, I was happy to find it and for a while I really thought about playing it, but sense prevailed, and I took a penalty drop.”

After the penalty drop you made it to the green in 4 and had a 20 foot putt, were you aware you needed that putt to drop on 18 to win the Inchkeith Cup?

“Nope!! Thankfully.”

How did you feel when you found out you won it?

“I was absolutely delighted as I have said in my rookie year I couldn’t have hoped for more. I have already won the MCM @ Aberdour and that would have been a huge success for me alone in year 1.”

You've now won 2 tournaments in 3 appearances in 2022 - what confidence does this give you for the rest of the year?

“It certainly gives me the confidence to go and play with some freedom, knowing that I can compete with the field. In 2021 I have 1st and 2nd place finish on the Order of Merit and a 4th place finish in a Major, I am growing in confidence week by week.”

Well, there we have it folks, a great win for Gowens and his second piece of silverware in 2022. He’ll go down in history as the first winner of the Inchkeith Cup and we’ll be back next year to see who is in contention in 2023.