August is a point in the Tour calendar that marks the beginning of the end of the season and often a time for reflection on the year gone by.

The Order of Merit rolled into Craigielaw for the traditional end of season Tour Championships and the field was met with a course that was beautifully presented and laid out to challenge even the best of players.

And as the last putt of the season dropped it may give rise to feelings of sorrow but not in Kevin Brannan’s camp. He entered 2022 with the disappointment of not having won in 2021, but also expectation for the season ahead and two nearly moments later he was looking at the potential for another winless season until a resplendent 3-under par performance landed him the Tour Championship.

Welcome to the winner’s circle Kevin Brannan – how does it feel?

“It feels great to have finally got over the line and sit down with you guys.

It was becoming a bit of a burden not to have won an event yet. I was beginning to think if it would ever happen. There's a lot of good golfers on tour and it's becoming more difficult to win.”

The Tour Championship returned to Craigielaw in 2022, how was it returning back after 2021?

“It was great to be back at Craigielaw in 2022. The team there always welcome the EuroDov with open arms. The course was set up fantastically and presented a tough but fair challenge. The weather looked to be a challenge with rain clouds lurking but only became a problem midway through the afternoon 18 when I think we all struggled for a brief time.”

You carded a level par 71 in the morning and then returned with a 3-under 68 in the afternoon how did you feel you played over the 2 rounds at Cragielaw?

“I really think I played my most consistent golf of the year. I kept the ball in play, for the most part, stayed away from major trouble and trusted my short game. I think playing Craigielaw it's important to know where to miss an approach to the green and leave a chip which I managed nicely. This was evident in only hitting 1 GIR all day on the par 3s but scoring well.”

If we rewind to May this year you narrowly lost out on your first Major at the EuroDov Cup. After 56 holes it all came down to two putts and after McColgan slotted his home from 7 feet you watched yours slide agonisingly past does that make this win all that bit better?

“It does, that was a close-run event, and I was disappointed to have missed out on the win there. But winning the final event of the season is just as sweet.”

It has long been predicted, by fellow players and observers that it was only a matter of time till you won an event on Tour, how does it feel to have that monkey off your back?

“It's brilliant, I now don't need to turn up to events with the mantra of I need to try and win this, or I'll get further left behind by others.”

Your win at the Tour Championships propelled you up the OoM rankings to a 5th place finish for the season, you must have been happy with that?

“At the start of the season I’d liked to have put in a stronger performance in the OoM rankings.

However due to various factors I missed 3 events which didn't help with that. To have 2 strong individual rounds At Craigielaw and jump up a few places is brilliant.”

Entering the last 18 holes of the season there was only 200 points separating 2nd to 4th. How exciting was it to see the season come down to that round?

“Across the EuroDov events we always seem to have tight tussles. Whether that is on any given day or across the season. After 8 events, watching these 3 guys battle it out down the stretch was fascinating.

Checking the on course live scoring, the standings continued to flip-flop in their winner takes all grouping.

But congratulations to Stuarty for finishing second. Hopefully next season we can see some more sustained pressure put on top spot by all of us to stop McColgan completing the threepeat.”

Whilst that battle raged on behind you, how did you focus on your second 18 holes and the Tour Championships?

“My playing partner, McColgan was a great help. Although keeping score he never let me know the overall leader board. I knew I had a good round going and must be in with a chance, but I just kept my head down and played the next shot.”

Now you've got that first win under your belt, what's the next target on Tour?

“It has to be putting a more consistent season together and hopefully be closer to the top of the OoM standings next season. And I look forward to 2023 to try and do that.”

It was a great closing event for the 2022 Order of Merit and great to see someone break in to the McColgan-Gowens dominance in 2022.

Brannan, a founding member of the EuroDov Tour, has been on the cusp of winning for a couple of seasons now and after today’s dominant performance he can put to bed the ghosts of those near misses and focus on the task ahead.

Be sure to check out the full review of the Tour Championships including interviews with Champion Golfer of the Year, David McColgan, Harry Vardon Trophy winner Paul Gowens and a full recap of players reactions from Craigielaw.