The EuroDov Tour season is well and truly underway as we hit the middle of May. Three events from the Tour’s year long event, the Order of Merit, are in the bag and the season’s first Major is over.

The maiden Invitational Tournament was held on Sunday 8th May and the 8-player field took on 36 holes at Tulliallan Golf Course aiming to become the first winner of the event. The anticipation of the event had been building since qualifying took place in September 2021 and the event did not disappoint.

The 8-player field was met with a course in pristine condition, the fast and firm greens challenged even the best short game wizard and putter. And as the battle raged on there was still all to play for as the players made it down the 36th hole. However, like all tournaments, only one player could be victorious come the end of play and as the final putt fell Andy Love was that player.

Love qualified in first place, winning his first Major on Tour in 2021, and he continued that form to lift his second Major. We had a chance to sit down with him after the event and catch-up.

Andy, thanks for joining us, firstly, how does it feel to be named the first ever winner of the Invitational Trophy?

“I’m honoured and totally surprised. I did not think I had much of a chance coming in to today, as it was a really strong field. I haven’t been playing too well recently, so just wanted to enjoy the day.”

Love was ranked at 8/1 to lift the trophy following a T7th and T8th so far this season in Tour events.
Your front-9 was less than perfect as you went 70ver par thru 9, what was going through you rmind at that point?

“I thought my day was done. After starting the first two holes really well, it felt like things fell apart. It wasn’t until we checked the leaderboard at the turn that I found out I was 4th, and it gave me a new lease of life.”

That lease of life saw you card a 3-under par back nine to finish the morning in solo 2nd and only 1 shot of the lead, what’s the mindset at lunch knowing that?

“I felt good. It looked like Jim and Dave had a strong morning, and Graeme finished really well in the morning, so I knew the afternoon would be a challenge. Just being in that final group was enough for me. Repeating my form from the back 9 in the morning over another 18 holes felt like a big ask.”

Your afternoon started with a bogey on the first hole, but you’d go on to birdie 2, 4 & 5 and take the outright lead. How does that affect your strategy for the rest of the round?

“It’ doesn’t really, other than thinking I’d done better on those holes than in the morning. I felt much more comfortable. However, I know how quickly things can change so I never thought about anything other than the next shot.”

You eagled 14 to take a four-shot lead with 4 to play did that change your approach to the last few holes?

“Not really. I know one bad hole can change everything, as we almost saw after 16, so I was never truly
comfortable, not until it was all over. However, the eagle on 14 was a real highlight. It gave me a bit of confidence just as the fatigue was beginning to set in.”

Let’s talk about 16, you carded an 11 which saw you drop to 1 off the lead, what was going through your mind on the walk to 17?

“That was probably the first time I felt real pressure on the day. I could see the headlines around the collapse, blowing a huge lead etc. even though I knew how possible it always was. But I just prioritised getting the next tee shot off and making it a good one. That’s all I thought about, after going through the initial “oh shit, you’ve blown it” reaction.”

There were two contenders for the shot of the day, the pundits went with Jim Robertson’s 5 wood in to 14 but talk us through your chip at 17. To set the scene, you’ve just carded an 11, are 1 shot off the lead, your tee shot finds the fairway and your second shot was fanned out right into trees and deep rough. Take it away.

“I have to admit I Surprised myself with the shot.

The ball was right at the root of a tree, lots of branches around, but I had a half decent swing at it and thankfully it landed well and rolled close. I was surprised because of how poorly I’d executed shots like that from favourable positions throughout the day.”

Love would convert the putt for a birdie and regain the lead going down the 18th.

As you rolled in your par putt on 18, your stroke lead was converted to a win how did you feel?

“Relieved more than anything, after the scare on 11. I didn’t want to take Denis Duncan’s title of chief bottler!! It was bittersweet in a way - I’d have been really happy for Dave to get the grand slam, but overall, I’m delighted to be taking home the trophy today.”

You've just one back-to-back Majors, and you're only the second player to hold multiple Major titles on Tour, how does that feel?

“I’m in pretty esteemed company. It just shows the opportunity of the Tour though, that the statistically/handicap-wise best & worst players are the ones that hold multiple majors. It should be an incentive to others on Tour.

If I was one of the other players, I’d not be happy seeing me with the accolades I have.”

Your season has been slow up to know but how does lifting the first Major of the season set you up for the year ahead?

“Winning two events last year I suppose there was a little pressure to win something this year. I think winning a major puts a huge tick in that box. I don’t have any strict goals this season other than to improve and be competitive, so I’ll keep working on that and see what happens.”

Thank you to Andy for his time and it was great to see him in the winners’ circle again. Love is one of the most active Tour players making his 13th start on Tour in the last 2 years lucky for some.

His win will do wonders for his confidence for the rest of the season and whilst others may feel dismayed at his accolades, they are all fully deserved.

I am sure Andy will enjoy the moniker of ‘multiple Major winner’ and it is nothing less than he deserves.