As the 2025 EuroDov Tour season kicked off, while some eyes naturally gravitated towards the Order of Merit, the real grit and grind, the fight for future status, was always going to be in Q-School1. This season-long competition offers a golden ticket – direct access to the Order of Merit for the victor and runner-up.

Following a tight 4-man race in 2024 that saw Scott Gowens and Greig Baxter earn their spots, the 2025 field expanded, featuring six players vying for those two coveted positions.

The season preview highlighted several contenders based on their history and potential:

Ronan Capon entered as a relative unknown on Tour but with a strong handicap index (9.8, previously 8.4), making him the early favourite at 2/1 odds. His debut was set for Round 1.

Craig Miller returned for his second year after narrowly missing out in 2024, with his previous experience in the "trench warfare" of Q-School seen as a significant advantage. He was given 3/1 odds.

Adam Blyth & Dan Wood were listed at 4/1. Blyth boasts the lowest WHS index in the field and was seen as a potential runaway winner if he could play a fuller schedule. Dan Wood, a new co-sanctioned player from the SanWedge Tour, was described as an unknown quantity but showed serious potential by pushing EuroDov talisman David McColgan to the 18th hole in the 2024 Carnegie Cup. Wood is noted for his controlled, calm game and technically sound swing.

Stuart Anderson & Stuart Harwood rounded out the predictions at 6/1. Anderson, having won on Tour in a partnership format, was expected to have a year of adjustment in solo strokeplay. Harwood returned after a significantly reduced 2024 season, with predictions based mainly on his 2023 performance where he narrowly avoided Order of Merit relegation.

Now, with three of the six scheduled rounds complete, let's look back at the first half of this crucial competition.

Round 1: The Eden Course, St Andrews

The season kicked off on the historic Eden Course at St Andrews. The first round offered an immediate glimpse into the players' form. Notable moments included Adam Blyth's birdie on the Par 4 3rd. Danny Wood also carded a birdie, his coming on the Par 3 8th. Stuart Harwood delivered an impressive birdie on the Par 3 5th, while Stuart Anderson managed two birdies, on the Par 3 8th and the Par 3 10th. However, the scores varied, with some players finding the early holes difficult, including Stuart Anderson who struggled on the opening holes.

In the end Adam Blyth ran out the winner by four shots over Danny Wood to leave the standings in Q-School as;

1 - A. Blyth - 500 points
T2 - D. Wood - 250 points
T2 - S. Harwood - 250 points
4 - R. Capon - 100 points
5 - C. Miller - 50 points
6 - S. Anderson - 0 points

Round 2: Kinghorn Golf Club

The players were battling the course, the weather and each other in round 2 and despite a reduced field had a highly competitive match.

The test of golf around Kinghorn GC featured some standout individual hole performances. Danny Wood opened his round with a fantastic birdie on the Par 4 1st. Craig Miller responded with a birdie on the Par 3 2nd. Later in the round, Ronan Capon carded a birdie on the Par 4 7th.

In the end Danny Wood bettered his runner-up spot in round 1 to clinch the win and the leader board looked as follows after round 2;

1 - D. Wood - 750 points
2 - A. Blyth - 500 points
3 - R. Capon - 400 points
T4 - S. Harwood - 250 points
T4 - C. Miller - 250 points
6 - S. Anderson - 0 points

Round 3: Dunfermline Golf Club

As the Tour moved inland and off the links turf round 3 took place at Dunfermline GC. It was a windy day with the conditions really challenging club selection and shot making.

Craig Miller had an excellent round, carding birdies on the Par 3 2nd and the Par 3 9th. Ronan Capon also birdied the Par 3 9th. Stuart Anderson matched their efforts with birdies on the Par 3 9th and the Par 3 16th.

Stuart Harwood added birdies on the Par 4 10th and the Par 3 16th. Despite these highlights, some holes proved challenging, with Stuart Anderson notably recording a high score on the Par 5 7th.

After 3 rounds the leaderboard at the half way point stands at;

T1 - D. Wood - 750 points
T1 - C. Miller - 750 points
3 - R. Capon - 700 points
4 - A. Blyth - 500 points
5 - S. Harwood - 450 points
6 - S. Anderson - 100 points

Mid-Season Reflections: Players Weigh In

At the halfway point, with the race perceived as exceptionally tight, two players offered their thoughts on the season so far.

Craig Miller, the only player with previous Q-School experience, acknowledged his season has been "up and down" but he takes it in stride6. Despite his past experience, he doesn't feel it gives him an advantage.

Looking at the standings, Miller believes the leaderboard is "a bit deceiving" and that every player in Q-School is "capable of winning any event". Crucially for the promotion race, Miller revealed, "I'm unable to play the last two events (again) so my chances of promotion are gone, I'm just enjoying each event as they come".

Reflecting on his play, he noted that not playing in winter means it takes time to get back into form, with Round 1 at The Eden being his first game in about 7 months. He feels his game has improved as the season progressed. Of the remaining courses, he favoured Burntisland, calling Canmore a "dug track" and stating he's never played Lochgelly.

Danny Wood, the new co-sanctioned player, feels his season is "going well" despite missing the last event (Round 3) due to club duties. He's enjoyed playing with both familiar and new faces.

When asked about favourites for promotion, Wood suggested that depending on attendance at the next event, Adam or Ronan are the favourites, describing them as "very steady players". He also cautioned that Craig Miller, with more golf, would definitely be making the most of his handicap, predicting a "good battle for the next 3 events". Regarding his play, Wood felt both his rounds were a "story of two halves," only managing to string together a good 9 holes in each, but was "happy enough with [his] results so far". He agreed with Miller on the remaining courses, stating Burntisland is the best course of the three (Burntisland, Canmore, Lochgelly) and admitting he doesn't have fond memories of either Lochgelly or Canmore.

Looking Ahead: Who Will Seize Promotion?

With three rounds remaining at Burntisland GHC, Canmore GC, and Lochgelly GC1..., the picture for promotion is becoming clearer, yet still full of potential twists.

The leaderboard picture has been significantly altered by key withdrawals for the remaining three events (Burntisland GHC, Canmore GC, and Lochgelly GC):

Adam Blyth has withdrawn from the next 3 events.
Stuart Harwood has withdrawn from the next 3 events.
Craig Miller is unable to play the last two events.

Let's look at how these developments reshape the battle for the two promotion spots.

Impact of Withdrawals and Standings:

Craig Miller: Will be the only Q-School player to tee it up at the Dodhead Invitational meaning he’ll reach 1,200 points before being unable to play the final two events.

Adam Blyth: Ranked 4th with 500 points and noted in the season preview for having the lowest WHS index in the field and potential to "run away with it" if he played a fuller schedule. However, Blyth's withdrawal means he cannot add any further points and is also out of the running for promotion.

Stuart Harwood: Ranked 5th with 450 points and returning after a reduced 2024 season, Harwood's withdrawal likewise eliminates him from contention.

This leaves just three active players competing for the two promotion spots:

Danny Wood: Tied for the lead with 750 points – will not be teeing it up at the Dodhead Invitational and will be relying on performances at Canmore and Lochgelly to get him over the 1,200 point mark set by Miller.

Ronan Capon: In 3rd place with 700 points at the minute will also not be teeing it up at the Dodhead, so like Wood will need to rely on the final two events to get the points to surpass Miller.

Stuart Anderson: In 6th place with 100 points, is probably already out of the race, however, if he can focus his attentions on Canmore and Lochgelly and find some form he could have a say in who gets to play in the Order of Merit in 2026.