The Tour’s annual pilgrimage up the Forth estuary is in the bag, and so is the season’s second Major. As ever, it never disappointed. We had a tight tussle at the top, players clawing bag strokes in the afternoon covering all manner of sins in the afternoon, meltdowns and magic shots but in the end a familiar face held the trophy at the 18th Green.

Yes Kevin Brannan, the winner of the EuroDov Cup earlier this year made it two Majors from two in the 2023 season and joined the ranks of David McColgan and Andy Love as multiple-Major winners and back-to-back Major winners.

We had the pleasure of sitting with Brannan after the round to get his thoughts. Congratulations - how does it feel to have won the 2023 Invitational Tournament?

“It feels amazing. To be sat here today as I joined the company of only one other man as a winner of The Invitational.

It took a while for me to get over that winning line but I’m getting used to the feeling now.”

Well let’s take a look at that – Kevin played 23 events on the EuroDov Tour from 2013-2022 without an individual win and in August 2022 he got his first taste of victory in the 36hole Tour Championships. He’d go on to win the 54-hole EuroDov Cup, his second win and first Major before winning today at the 36-hole Invitational Tournament.

This is your third event win on the EuroDov Tour - and all of them have been multi-round tournaments - why do you think you thrive in this style of event?

“I think like most of us, you get off to a good start, find some rhythm and a swing thought you just keep going.

I know that over the longer format, if you can stay level or about that mark, you're going to be in with a chance.”

It’s certainly working for Brannan who has won 43% of the events he’s started in since his first win in August 2022. An impressive stat to go with an ever-impressive trophy case.

Brannan now holds two Majors, the EuroDov Cup and the Invitational, with Majors representing 66% of his entire wins on Tour.

Your major performances in 2023 have been in stark contrast to the Order of Merit, why do you think this is?

“I wish I knew the answer to that myself.

OoM performances have been below average to say the least, but I've managed to string a score together on both the EuroDov and The Invitational. It helps that in both of these events nobody had set the course on fire with a 6 or 7 under, unlike the OoM events so far this season.”

Getting back to today’s proceedings, you had a pretty steady day, 3-over in the morning and 1-over in the afternoon, how happy were you with your game?

“Overall, my game was solid for the majority of the day.

It was a real turn up for the books after last week's performance at Kinghorn. During the middle of both rounds, there were little wobbles where I put myself in trouble off the tee a few times, but I managed to steady the ship pretty quickly.”

On both rounds you were 1-under thru 2. They aren't easy holes; how did you find the opening holes on the course?

“Having played the course a few times now, I had definitely learned where not to miss which is vitally important with danger right and long on both holes. You need to remember how small both greens are and avoiding the trouble on these holes actually gives a chance to score.”

You scored better on the back 9 on both rounds - did these favour your game or was there something else at play?

“I think the course definitely opens up a little more on the back 9 and becomes a little less tree lined with less water in play. It becomes less punishing for a slightly wayward shot so probably suited my game a little more than the front half.”

You had a good tussle with Callum McNeill in the afternoon and the tournament was swinging back and forth for a while, what do you focus on in that situation?

“I was only focused on my own game and tried to avoid what was going on elsewhere on the course. I knew that my score in the afternoon was going to have me up near the top, but I was only focused on the next shot. This was difficult when one of your main competitors was one of your playing partners.”

McColgan and Connor, playing in the groups in front, were clawing strokes back all afternoon, but talk us through your last 6 holes. You shot 3 birdies in a row and parred your way home after that - that's some clutch golf under pressure?

“The flat stick began to work on that run of holes which definitely helped as I think I had struggled with the pace of putts all afternoon up until that run of holes.

Looking back, this run of holes looks like it proved pivotal.”

The season’s second Major wasn’t without controversy – a number of commentators have pointed to the fact that 2 players in the field were playing on Tour invitations instead of qualifying through the Montgomery Cup.

One invitee was none other than yourself Kevin, what’s your take on this?

“I’d just like to say thank you to the Tour for the invitee and I was delighted to accept it with open arms.”

Anyway, let’s get back to some real golf chat. You've not only won your second Major, but have also won back-to-back Majors - how does it feel to achieve such a rare win?

“I don't know the figures, but I know that there's not many multiple major winners and it great to join the club. I didn't think the second one would come so quickly after the first and I'll be looking to add more.”

Let us tell you Kevin, there are only 2 other multiple Major winners, meaning only 9% of the Tour membership hold multiple Majors – a pretty unique position to be on the Tour.

So far this year you've won the EuroDov Cup and the Invitational, you're halfway to completing the Grand Slam, can you win the James Braid Quaich and Montgomery Cup to make history?

“It will be difficult, but I've proved that I can do it and look forward to the challenge.

I've already heard commentators referring to the Bran-Slam chances for the remainder 2023.”

What does success the for the rest of 2023 look like?

“Firstly, it's a busy few weeks coming up on Tour. I'll be looking to renewing rivalries with the rest of The Tour when the OoM resumes at Aberdour and that will be a nice warm up for when I captain the EuroDov Tour in the inaugural Carnegie Cup.

Individually I would like to improve my OoM performances and standing over the season and put my early season sip behind me.”

Well, there we have it folks, after a brilliant edition of the Invitational Tournament we’ve heard it straight from the winner’s mouth!

Brannan’s dominance on Tour since August 2022 cannot be questioned and many people will wonder what is possible if he can crack the 18-hole format. However, for now Brannan will be relaxing in the knowledge that he is in rare company as a multiple Major and will be looking to use this weekend as a platform for the rest of 2023.

Join us on September 2nd as the EuroDov Tour hosts the final Major of the year, the Montgomery Cup, which also serves as the qualifier for the 2024 Invitational Tournament. Until then folks, stay with us for your news, insight and analysis from across the Tour.