The DP World Tour returns to Scotland this week for the 21st staging of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship as a host of Major Champions gather alongside famous celebrities and amateurs. Here are your five things to know. Entry List
Willett defends
Danny Willett celebrated his 34th birthday in style last year when he returned to the DP World Tour winner’s circle after a two-year wait. The 2016 Masters Champion finished two shots ahead of nearest rivals Tyrrell Hatton, a two-time former winner, and Joakim Lagergren after a closing four-under 68 at St Andrews’ Old Course. Up until his victory at the Home of Golf, 2021 had proven a challenging time for Willett due to several health problems. However, this time around, the Englishman arrives in Scotland hot on the heels of a runner-up finish at the Fortinet Championship - the opening PGA TOUR event of the 2022-23 season.
Three times a winner?
No player is yet to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on three occasions, with six-time DP World Tour winner Hatton and 2020 Ryder Cup Team Europe Captain Pádraig Harrington the only players to have won the event twice. Both are in the field this week as they aim to make history at the Home of Golf on Sunday. Hatton has already written his name into the history books of this week’s tournament after he become the first player to successfully defend his title in 2017, a year after claiming his maiden DP World Tour title at St Andrews. The two-time Ryder Cup player was also runner-up in 2018 and 2021. Harrington won his two titles in 2002 and 2006, respectively. The Irishman then won three Major Championships in a 14-month span, including back-to-back Open Championships in 2007 and 2008 to underline his expertise for links golf. The 51-year-old is now a force on the PGA TOUR Champions, with three titles to his name in his rookie season.
Unique format played at historic links venues
As ever, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship incorporates two separate competitions - an individual professional tournament for the world's leading golfers and the Team Championship in which the professionals are paired with amateur golfers. The format lends itself to forging a strong sense of camaraderie between the professionals and amateurs in the field. The setting for the tournament is steeped in history, with play held in rotation over the first three days at the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. The final round is then played over the Old Course, which staged The 150th Open Championship in July. The cut is made after three rounds, with the 60 leading professionals and ties playing in the final round, along with the 20 lowest scoring pro-am teams, regardless of the professional’s individual score.
Star-studded line-up
The event has proven a magnet for the world’s best golfers since its inception in 2001. Among the headline acts are Major Champions Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick and Shane Lowry, winner of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club earlier this month. “I finished fourth last year and after winning the PGA at Wentworth, I couldn’t be going to St Andrews more confident. I’ve been playing well for a while, and this is an event I’d love to win. Everyone would like to win a big Championship on the Old Course on a Sunday," said the Irishman. Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood, who forged a formidable partnership together at the 2018 Ryder Cup, are also sure to attract a strong following. Pivotal to the magic of the event is the presence of celebrities from a wide range of fields. Many of the same faces return every year, including ever-present five-time Olympic rowing gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave, while former West Ham captain Mark Noble will make his debut alongside Hammers supporter Billy Horschel. Last year saw history made as Ireland’s Maeve Danaher became the first woman to win the team event alongside 2011 individual champion Michael Hoey, who has since joined the DP World Tour as a Rules Official.
Canada's Aaron Cockerill has been given an exemption to play this week. Tee Times
Family ties
The chance for professionals to tee it up at an event alongside a family member continues to prove one of the attractions of playing at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Four-time Major Champion McIlroy will reunite this week with his father Gerry in the team event, having come close to winning together in 2019. Also vying to become just the second father-and-son duo to win the team competition since Sam and Daniel Torrance is 15-timeDP World Tour winner Thomas Bjørn and his son Oliver. Reigning U.S. Open Champion Fitzpatrick is another of the household names from the professional game in the field, with the Sheffield man playing alongside his mum Susan for the first time.
Weather : It will be toques and gloves all round with the high temperature over 4 days at 15*c and overnight lows in single digits. There is rain in the Saturday forecast but the main story will be the wind over the weekend at 15-20mph.
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