When David McColgan walked off the 18th green at Lochgelly Golf Club on Sunday, the smile said it all.

Another trophy, another victory on a course that has become entwined with his story. His second Forrester-Lochgelly Open title was sealed only after a tense countback against defending champion Paul Gowens, but for McColgan, the win felt like a homecoming.

“I have a lot of fond memories of Lochgelly,” he began, still cradling the silverware. “This is where I grew up playing my earliest competition golf. It’s always a tournament I look forward to, and I’m delighted to be holding the trophy at the end of the day.”

A Duel on Familiar Ground -

McColgan knew he would need something special to topple Gowens. For much of the back nine, it looked like the defending champion had done enough, but McColgan drew on past experience.

“I knew I was one shot behind Paul on the last,” he admitted. “But I also have happy memories of the hole. I knew with one good drive I could put myself in a strong position to get that birdie.”

That drive — long, straight, fearless — left him just 50 yards out. His wedge was clipped perfectly, finishing inside three feet. The putt dropped. The pressure was immense, but he thrived in the moment.

“Probably the most decisive hole was the 18th,” McColgan reflected. “It was a really pressure moment.”

Childhood Memories, Present-Day Success -

If Gowens came out blazing, McColgan relied on something deeper: comfort. Lochgelly, after all, was where it began for him.

“It takes me back to my youth,” he said, eyes drifting toward the fairways. “There was nothing better than walking these fairways, playing golf, having fun with your friends. When you’re relaxed out there, you always play good golf.”

That relaxation was evident in the way he steadied himself after a rare slip on the front nine. “Starting with a birdie is always good, then you’ve got to battle through holes 2 and 3,” he said. “I was a bit annoyed on 4 when I lost my tee shot, but nearly holing my wedge was a good response.”

The outward half of 32 kept him within striking distance, but even then McColgan didn’t think the title was his to claim.

“If I’m honest, I still thought heading into the back nine that Stuart Allan and Paul Gowens were going to be battling it out,” he admitted. “For me, I’m always conscious of holes 11 through 15 — to play them level par was really important.”

Putting Clinic -

If Lochgelly’s receptive greens encouraged attacking play, McColgan’s putter made the difference. He finished with just 23 putts, a statistic that underlined his mastery.

“I putted brilliantly today,” he said. “Of course, a lot of that was down to my scrambling, leaving me in good positions on the green, but I felt confident and had a read of the greens really early on.”

It was this confidence that allowed him to match Gowens stroke for stroke, before edging ahead when it mattered most.

Respect for Rivals -

McColgan was quick to praise the man he beat. “Paul is a great player, and he was in control of his game from the very start,” he said. “He’s a hard man to compete with and I think being in the same group meant we both saw what each other was doing. It was probably right that someone won on a countback — the golf was just that good.”

He also spared a thought for two of his closest rivals who weren’t there. “It was a shame that Richard and Kevin couldn’t play today,” he said of Mair and Brannan. “They are two of the best liked guys on Tour. For me though, I can only control my game, so it didn’t really change my approach.”

As for Stuart Allan, who shot a brilliant 31 out before fading slightly, McColgan was full of admiration. “Stuarty came out the gates firing — he was five under through five holes. That’s a crazy return at Lochgelly. He’s a big-hitting player and around Lochgelly that can really tear the course apart. I think everyone would have been watching his name on the leaderboard.”

A Season in Context -

The FLO win adds another glittering chapter to McColgan’s 2025 campaign. It’s been a season of relentless form — victories, podiums, and a grip on the top of the Order of Merit. Still, he’s cautious about judging it too soon.

“I was delighted to get the win,” he said. “I always feel that winning early in the season, and not winning again, raises questions. My game has been in great shape, and I have a chance to repeat my four-win season of 2022 again.”

But asked if 2025 is the peak of his play, McColgan paused. “I think any time you win multiple Order of Merit events you have to class that as a stellar season,” he said. “However, in 2022 my four-win season was definitely the peak of my play, so I’ll hold off until after the Tour Champs before making any judgements.”

Eyes Forward -

The victory at Lochgelly was more than just a title — it was momentum. With the Tour Championship looming, McColgan knows he carries the confidence of a man in form.

“My win today just solidifies a period of great golf for me,” he said. “I hope it holds out till Friday and the Tour Champs.”

And while the FLO clearly holds a special place in his heart, he was quick to look ahead. “I think it’s always easier when you step on the first tee and you have good memories of a course,” he said. “You get to know little nuances here and there, and it feels like you’ve got a bit of a cheat code.”

But even cheat codes don’t guarantee success in golf. For now, he was determined to celebrate, if only briefly.

“I think you need to enjoy every win,” McColgan concluded. “But we do have a quick turnaround for the Tour Champs on Friday, so I’ll keep the celebration light and get my focus back on.”

At Lochgelly, McColgan once again showed why he is the Tour’s standard-bearer. Composed under pressure, ruthless on the greens, and grounded in his roots, he turned a tight duel into another personal triumph. With the biggest stage of the year still to come, he is not just the FLO champion — he is the man to beat.