The morning singles are in, and the analysis has been shared, EuroDov Reporter has Team Love leading Team Brannan by the narrowest of margins 7-5 heading into the afternoon round.

In 8 RyDov Cups the team leading in the morning has gone on to win the Cup, but three times the afternoon matches have overturned the result, and none more famously than the 2013 and 206 editions where Team Dov overturned a 4.5 – 1.5 deficit to win 7.5 – 4.5 and a 4-2 deficit to retain the Cup 6-6.

The afternoon matches matter and with such a tight morning session they could be crucial so let’s take a look at each match, and EuroDov Reporter’s insight.

So, let’s get down to match 17.

There is something quite exciting about big matchups later in the order and that’s what we have here. Team Love has Graeme Connor and Callum McNeill facing off against Team Brannan’s Denis Duncan and John Hedges.

Love has paired up 2 players who have the potential to really gel together. Connor is a steady and reliable player, has some of the best iron play on the Tour and can really guide a partner around Kinross. His 40%-win rate in the format isn’t something to be sniffed at, and in 2023 he’ll want to build on this.

His partner, Callum McNeill, is showing a maturation of his game in 2023. He’s dug in deep through the Order of Merit season, and already has a win in the Anstruther Medal. His win at Falkland, was all the more impressive as it came on a course that was incredibly tight and many had predicted not suitable for his game. McNeill’s RyDov Cup debut in 2022 saw him lose to his now partner, so they’ll have a good understanding of each other’s game.

Their opponents, have good memories and bad around Kinross. The pair of them have a 36%-win rate in the format and were once paired together back in 2020 where they were defeated 7&6. However, between them they’ve got 14 appearances in the event, and are no strangers to the format.

The story of Duncan’s season is undoubtedly improvement and whilst he has espoused a narrative of a poor season, it isn’t really the case. A final appearance at the Anstruther Medal, and sitting 5th in the OoM, he’s had a strong season.

Hedges on the other hand is the question mark, his last appearance on the EuroDov Tour was the 2022 RyDov Cup, and what golf he has played since then has been largely behind closed doors, he is the unknown in this match for sure.

With little over a month to go there is still time for handicap fluctuations but currently the handicap favour goes massively in the favour of Team Brannan by a staggering 10 strokes.

So, what does all this tell us? Well, let’s begin with the handicap, I don’t think I have seen such a big difference in handicaps in a match-up in a very long time. The question here is, are Duncan and hedges that much different to Connor and McNeill that they really need this, or might they be sneaking a shot or two here to help them out?

And this my friends is the crux of the matter, and the question I am not entirely sure the answer to. On the one hand I have seen Duncan and Hedges both play well enough to compete with Connor and McNeill, but I have also seen the scenario where they come undone, and very quickly.

Greensomes is a peculiar format, it provides its advantages and also highlights disadvantages. EuroDov Reporter’s looked at this one from all angles and struggles to see Hedges/Duncan frittering away 10 advantages.

This one is a win for Team Brannan at the bottom of the order.

Team Love 12 – 10 Team Brannan