The EuroDov Tour descended upon the picturesque, yet punishing, Burntisland Golf House Club this past Sunday for the 2025 Dodhead Invitational. This event has historically belonged to a select few, with Stuart Allan and David McColgan being the only two players to have their names etched on the trophy in its four-year history. However, 2025 saw a new champion crowned in a finish that had galleries buzzing and players reflecting on a truly challenging day on the course.

While the course itself was presented in immaculate condition – with fairways described as perfect, rough tight and punishing, and greens rolling like a dream – the weather was the undeniable headline-grabber.

Players faced a relentless battle against a significant 1- to 2-club wind and intense downpours that rolled across the course at regular 15-minute intervals. David McColgan described it as "probably some of the toughest conditions we’ve played in all year," noting the difficulty in deciding whether to wear waterproofs or just endure the sporadic rain. Richard Mair felt the heavy rain showers contributed to losing shots, both mentally and due to the conditions. Stuart Allan echoed this, stating he had "never seen such changeable weather in a single round of golf," swinging from torrential rain to t-shirt weather within holes. Despite the challenging weather, Greig Baxter strangely enjoyed it, finding the wind made things interesting and required constant adaptation to the course layout. Stevie Orr likened the need for outfit changes to a "Lady Gaga concert" but was thankful for dry spells.

The tournament review noted that leaderboards have been exceptionally tight in 2025, and the Dodhead Invitational was no exception. The opening two holes played close to par, with several birdies, suggesting potential for low scores. Scott Gowens was 1-under through the first two holes and expected high scores from others due to the weather, but noted the top players navigated it well. Richard Mair, who admitted he'd "never scored well around Burntisland," was hoping to shoot around Even par. Stevie Orr initially thought holding on might be enough, but as conditions briefly improved, it became clear a low score would be needed. David McColgan observed that the increasing quality of golf on Tour meant a low score was likely needed, and with bunched leaderboards, "a bit of magic" would be required to win.

However, the course quickly bared its teeth, particularly the par 3 third hole, described as "devilish". Playing 204 yards into a tucked-left pin with a left-tucked tee box and nearby road noise, it proved a "nerve shredder". It played half a stroke over par on average, with Stevie Orr carding the only birdie. Players like Allan, Baxter, McNeill, and Gowens Junior all struggled here. Richard Mair played it safe and was happy with a par due to previous experience. Greig Baxter considered a bogey on this difficult hole "never a bad thing".

Scott Gowens felt things went "all downhill after that third hole," hitting his tee shot out of bounds. Stevie Orr described his birdie here as "one of the very few highlights of the day," calling it his best tee shot on that hole. David McColgan felt he played it well, finishing short left for an easy chip and putt, and noted the bravery required to take the left line flirting with the road.

The par 3 fifth hole proved to be the hardest hole on the course to par, playing a full 1.15 shots over par on average. Players faced wind, rain, an elevated tee, a green surrounded by bunkers, and out of bounds right and heavy rough left and long. Richard Mair succinctly summarized its difficulty: "Apart from that it’s pretty easy!" Stuart Allan added that the pin position on a slope made even a two-putt uncertain. Stevie Orr noted the challenge of hitting a high shot into the wind, resorting to a 9-iron whereas he'd usually hit a wedge.

David McColgan called the pin position "heart in mouth stuff" and the hole a "devil of a hole". Greig Baxter's round took a turn for the worse here, humorously recalling a "shanked gap wedge" as his "world fell apart".

The tournament review highlighted some big moments, including eagles from Greig Baxter on 7 and Stuart Allan on 13. Daniel Peck also carded a rare albatross on the 12th. Players were impressed by these feats, especially considering the tough conditions. Stevie Orr witnessed Peck's albatross firsthand, noting his great shots on the hole and being glad his putt dropped. Scott Gowens agreed that an albatross is always impressive, and seeing Peck drain the putt was a "mood booster". David McColgan felt these scores showed the effort players were putting in.

The final holes saw a thrilling conclusion. David McColgan held the solo lead for the longest stretch of the day from holes 10 through 13, highlighted by an "unbelievable birdie" on the 11th where he threaded a 6-iron through trees after finding the fourth fairway. He followed this with birdies on 12 and 13, bringing talk of his "closing heroics" at the MCM to fans lips. However, a bogey on 14 cost him the solo lead, joining Stuart Allan at the top. The two historic Dodhead champions battled par for par on 15, 16, and 17, while Kevin Brannan quietly gained ground, sitting just one shot back. Allan finished first, carding a bogey on the 18th to sit at 1-under par. Brannan and McColgan, playing together, reached the 17th. McColgan's wedge came up short, while Brannan, after changing clubs, fired a 9-iron to 8 feet, knowing he needed back-to-back birdies for the win. McColgan secured a par on 17, while Brannan confidently sank his birdie putt to tie the clubhouse lead.

On the par 4 18th, McColgan needed a birdie to guarantee the win, while Brannan knew a birdie would likely result in a countback victory. McColgan took a tight line flirting with out of bounds, while Brannan found the trees on the right. Brannan hit an "amazing shot" from the trees, punching out to the front edge of the green, 12 feet from the pin. McColgan's aerial approach left him 14 feet away. Just like the 2022 EuroDov Cup, it came down to the final putt between them. McColgan's putt slid past, leaving Kevin Brannan with a putt for the championship. He steadied himself and drained the putt, becoming the 2025 Dodhead Invitational Champion.

Players were universally pleased for Brannan, especially considering his comeback from a wrist injury in 2024. Richard Mair was "Pleased for Kev," noting it was good to see him playing back to his level pre-injury. Stuart Allan felt it was always good to see a comeback and noted Brannan's solid play off the tee. Scott Gowens called it "Great to see him back playing his best". Stevie Orr added that Brannan is a "very steady player" who can win any event. David McColgan, who played alongside Brannan, didn't think Brannan knew how close he was until the end. McColgan felt Brannan was "right there just reeling me back in" whenever he tried to pull away. He expressed delight at Brannan's win, calling it "validation" that he is one of the top players on Tour.

Despite the incredibly tough conditions, the leaderboard remained competitive, with 8 players within 7 shots and 5 within 3 shots of the lead at the close. McColgan and Allan finished at 1-under par, a strong score in the conditions, but were bettered by Brannan.

The focus now shifts to the Order of Merit standings, which are tightening up in 2025. David McColgan currently leads with 4,150 points, followed by Richard Mair 700 points back, Paul Gowens (absent from the Dodhead) 1,400 points back, and Stuart Allan 1,550 points adrift.

With McColgan set to miss the King's Cup at Canmore GC in July, the field sees an opportunity to close the gap. All eyes are on Richard Mair who, with a 5th place or better at Canmore would see him replace McColgan at the top of the standings – however Mair shocked the EuroDov media saying “I too will be unavailable for the King’s Cup, so the showdown will need to wait till Lochgelly in August.” Stevie Orr hoped to gain points as he too will miss Craigielaw. Stuart Allan noted that while Richard Mair is a contender, "all other top half players will be looking to capitalise on Dave not playing". David McColgan confirmed he is missing his first OOM event at the King's Cup, stating he isn't disappointed as he doesn't have good memories there, but will need to perform at the Forrester-Lochgelly to regain points. Stuart Allan is aiming to be within striking distance come the Tour Championships at Craigielaw, with his 2nd place finish at the Dodhead building momentum. Greig Baxter has no pressure on himself, simply aiming to consolidate his place on Tour and avoid Q-School.

Interestingly Richard Mair was the only co-sanctioned player from the SanWedge Tour to face the media after the event. This has lead to increasing speculation with many media sources asking: are the SanWedge players disrespecting the media after their Carnegie Cup defeat in May?

In conclusion, the 2025 Dodhead Invitational will be remembered for its brutal weather conditions, the impressive play required to overcome them, and the dramatic finish that saw Kevin Brannan emerge victorious, adding another exciting chapter to the 2025 EuroDov Tour season. The Order of Merit race promises further excitement as players jockey for position heading towards the Tour Championships at Craigielaw in August.