The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship stands out as a unique event in the golf calendar. Unlike most tournaments, this prestigious championship spans three renowned links courses over its initial three days: the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarns, all situated in Scotland.
The format of the tournament is distinctive, featuring both a 72-hole stroke play competition for 168 professional golfers and a concurrent team event. Each professional is paired with an amateur partner, and the team score at every hole is determined by the lower net score of either player. After three rounds, a cut will determine who competes in the final round; the top 60 professionals will move on in the stroke play, while the top 20 teams will advance in the team event.
This year’s competition includes high-profile participants, such as defending champion Tyrell Hatton and 16 golfers from the LIV Golf series. Hatton is eager to continue his success following his contributions to Team Europe’s victory in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. He is playing alongside his father, Jeff, while other Ryder Cup stars such as Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre, and 2023 champion Matt Fitzpatrick, who will team with his father Russell, are also in the mix.
Amateur competitors add an intriguing layer to the event, bringing not just sports expertise but a blend of entertainment personalities. Former tennis champion Andy Murray is competing alongside golfer Jordan Smith, and hockey icon Wayne Gretzky joins forces with LIV golfer Dustin Johnson, who is married to Gretzky’s daughter.
The tournament also features a variety of notable figures from sports, including former cricketers Kevin Pietersen and Michael Vaughan, as well as South African rugby legends Morne du Plessis and Schalk Burger. Five-time Olympic gold medalist Steve Redgrave is another impressive addition to the field.
In the realm of entertainment, the event attracts celebrities like actors Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, alongside stars such as Bill Murray and Kathryn Newton. The music scene is represented by rock legends Huey Lewis and Tico Torres of Bon Jovi, as well as artists like Tom Chaplin from Keane and Linkin Park’s Dave Farrell.
As the tournament unfolds, industry leaders such as former PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan are also participating. Interestingly, a year ago, hopes were high for a potential agreement between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf when Monahan and Al-Rumayyan were paired together. This year, Monahan is set to team up with Sean Crocker, while Al-Rumayyan will collaborate with LIV’s Patrick Reed.
With such a stellar lineup and diverse participation, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship promises an exciting experience, uniting golf enthusiasts and celebrity watchers alike in a celebration of sport and camaraderie on the picturesque Scottish links.