With the completion of the Invitational Tournament, the From the Locker Room team were scurrying around Tulliallan picking up all the lines the players didn’t want you to hear.

From course conditions to tournament qualification and everything in between we have it here for you.
It was an exciting edition of the Invitational with what seemed like a tournament of two halves but a the end of it all, Kevin Brannan took a step deeper into the history books of the EuroDov Tour by lifting his second Major and becoming only the third person to hold multiple Majors.

We caught up with the players afterwards and here’s what they had to say about the occasion.

Stuart Allan, playing his first Invitational tournament said, “as with every event on Tour the comms, planning and execution is brilliant. I know all the guys appreciate the effort that goes in to set up.

It’s the first time I’ve played Tulliallan, and I was really impressed. Variety of holes with tests to every part of your game. Keen to play again.”

Fellow rookie Richard Mair, who qualified on his Tour debut back in 2022, said, “great course and had that different feel to it being a major.

It’s the first time I’ve played Tulliallan and have to say I couldn’t fault the course. Challenging and was in good condition.”

Another Invitational debutant, Callum McNeill said, “It was a very good day, 3 groups of 3 worked really well.
I thought the course played well, couple of greens were pretty slow but outside that I was impressed.”

Graeme Connor, who returned after qualifying for the 2022 event, said, “it’s an event I look forward to, the 36-hole format suits me and it is played round a course I really enjoy too.

You’ll struggle to find a better kept course for your money. Well-manicured and some of the best greens you will find anywhere.”

David McColgan, who returned like Connor said, “it isn’t an overstatement to say the Invitational is a little bit special. It’s a select group who have qualified to be there and deserve the opportunity to get their hands on a Major.

As for the course, I don’t think the Tour could find a better venue for the event. It has all the challenges you need to find a deserving winner and it was presented beautifully for us on Sunday”.

The tournament is played over 36 holes which presented both challenges and opportunities for the field, but how did they feel they played?

McNeill, who was tied for the lead after 18 said, “I played really well first round and then pretty average second, was good to show I can compete even with the lower handicap.”

Stuart Allan, who finished 7th said, “overall pretty poor - a few decent holes but in the main below the level I expect and far below what’s required to challenge. Practice across all areas much needed.”

Richard Mair, who finished 8th said, “Not a great round for me in the morning, but felt I redeemed myself a little bit in the afternoon. Room for improvement!”

McColgan, who finished 3rd said, “it was literally a tale of two halves for me, a round to forget in the morning and one for the record books in the afternoon. All focus on qualification for 2024 now.”

And Graeme Connor, 4-time runner-up in a Major, said, “as is standard for me, I pretty much killed my chances over the first 4 holes in the morning, I was 6 or 7 over par through 4 holes. All of which were completely avoidable and in the end cost me the tournament.”

Kevin Brannan defended the 18 hole lead to deliver him his second Major, and his second win in 2023, what were your thoughts on Kev's win?

Allan said, “Kev has found the formula to win. It took a while but after his first he has been the best player on Tour apart from McColgan. Even more impressive was the recovery after a poor Kinghorn performance. Well done, Kev!”

McColgan said, “Kevin has to be one of the most liked guys on Tour, and the floods of messages congratulating him were great to see. It’s never easy defending the top of the leaderboard but he did just that, a great win!”

McNeill, who started the afternoon tied for the lead said, “he played really well in the second round. Was just relentlessly solid golf, no major mistakes.”

Since winning his first ever event Kevin has won 3 events in the last 6 on Tour - is he officially in the echelons of someone to watch out for at every event?

Graeme Conor said, “Kev is a consistent player, it’s not very often you see him low down on the leaderboard.”

Richard Mair said, “he’s the player to beat at the moment. He has to be one of the favourites at every event now.”

Allan commented, “it seems he will either be in the mix to win or nowhere and if he is challenging, he usually wins. He will be a big challenger for all the major honours at the end of the season and a good lesson for others to follow.”

Graeme Connor finished runner-up today for the 4th time - he is affectionately being referred to as the Bridesmaid of the EuroDov Tour - is this an envious place to be or would you rather not be stuck in this space?

Richard Mair said, “he’s the definition of hard lines! You’d have to think a win is coming for him. Personally, I’d take a runner up given my recent form, but nothing beats winning.”

Stuart Allan said, “to be honest, I’m getting bored and frustrated at not even challenging for top spot at any event so to get the chance would be nice. I think Graeme will be similar to Kev in that once he gets one, he may get a few.”

McColgan commented, “no one wants the moniker of the best player not to win a Major, but Graeme is definitely owning that space. It’s hard to believe, and even harder when you look at 3 out of 4 of those runners-up have been in the last 3 Majors.”

Callum McNeill, laying some brutally honest out say, “Would rather be 2nd than 4th” but I a not sure it’ll be much of a consolation to Connor.

Let's talk about David McColgan, he's still winless in 2023, he's failed to defend 3 events and missed out on the Invitational Tournament again - are we witnessing his demise into obscurity?

Richard Mair said, “you could tell he wasn’t happy on Sunday, particularly the morning round.

Having played a few rounds with McColgan I don’t think it will be long until he’s back in the winner’s circle.”

Stuart Allan said, “the Tour was in danger of becoming a McColgan procession to trophies so it’s a big positive that other players are stepping up. Although I’m sure Dave won’t see it that way. I’m sure it’s a matter of time before he is back on top.”

Graeme Connor reflected, “Dave’s problem is he is giving away too many shots to too many players, the Tour has bigger fields now, so his dominance is being diluted. Ironically, he should just turn pro to get 2 strokes back!”

Invitational winner Kevin Brannan shared during his winner’s interview that, “I don't think that's possible for Mr Tour himself to disappear into obscurity. It may be as hard as ever to win on Tour but he's still there.”

His 11-over in the morning was pretty painful to watch and surprising for many, but his 3-under second round thrust him back into contention - what do you make of his day out there?

Brannan continued, “the morning obviously didn't go his way however I'm glad I wasn’t playing with him as that may have been an unpleasant experience. It doesn't take much to turn around your scoring and I want surprised with his charge up the leaderboard in the afternoon. Fortunately for me, it was too late.”

Allan jokes, “It was encouraging that a +2 golfer can have those rounds too but Dave showed his quality by recovering straight away and actually giving himself a shot to win.”

McNeill found similar solace remarking, “there was nothing painful about watching his morning round, it was reassuring to see that he can struggle too.”

With McColgan failing to win the Invitational again – the big question on many people’s lips was will he ever win a grand slam, or is this a weight around his neck he'll bear for years to come?

There was a common theme running through the locker room comparing McColgan’s troubles around Tulliallan to a certain Rory McIlroy at Augusta with winner Kevin Brannan just saying, “Rory McIlroy, anyone?”

Mair chimed in saying, “I think the grand slam will be difficult. Could be a case of the McIlroy’s for Dave.”

And McNeill reflected, “like Rory at the Masters, each year he misses out it becomes harder to overcome.”

Whilst Allan shared the same thoughts, he also found a silver lining, “it may be his McIlroy Masters but the longer the better as I think as long as he doesn’t win the Invitational the more motivated he will be to continue as your commissioner. Sorry Dave.”

The world of Golf is no stranger to a bit controversy at the minute, and the EuroDov Tour can’t escape it.

There were a number of comments made about invitations extended to non-qualifying players, and the eventual winner being in the field on an invitation.

Love benefited from a 2-year winners exemption and Brannan was invited following his win in the EuroDov Cup - does this affect the event positively or negatively?

Stuart Allan said, “as long as the rules are consistent for all then no complaints from me. The Invitational needs to retain its exclusivity and the entry criteria should reflect that.”

Mair took a definitive approach to the question saying, “definitely positively! I think past winners and other major winners should automatically qualify. Just like the real majors.”

McNeill took a more practical approach saying, “as long as I receive an invite next year, you’ll not get a moan out of me.”

Eventual runner-up and 2nd place qualifier from 2022 said, “No comment.

I am taking legal advice as I effectively won against all legitimate qualifiers. Something doesn’t sit right with me.”

And winner Kevin Brannan, invited to play following his EuroDov Cup win in 2023 said, “I'd say to those asking the questions...would you be asking those questions had you put yourself in the position to be invited to take part?”

It appears that this debate may rumble on for some time, and we’ll keep you up to date with developments, insight and analysis from everything EuroDov Tour related.

That’s everything from us at Tulliallan Golf Club, you’ve heard it straight From the Locker Room and we’ll be back on Sunday 21st May for the MCM @ Aberdour.