Several members of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup team fly in from New York to take part in this week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, with Tyrrell Hatton back at St Andrews to defend his title, trying to become the first golfer to win it four times.
Last year he became the first to win a third title after a thrilling final day on the Old Course, sinking the winning birdie putt on the 18th green.
Hatton has enjoyed a stellar year and this tournament holds a special place in his heart.
He said: “It doesn’t get much better than winning at St Andrews. To play in a tournament there and be in contention is something you always remember. To say I’ve won three times in the Dunhill at the Home of Golf is even more special.
“I don’t think you ever go into events thinking you could actually win four times, but there is definitely something that suits me about the Dunhill. Last year was even more special because it was the first time I’ve actually won the tournament with my dad there, so it meant a lot.”
Hatton sank a four-foot putt for a birdie three on the 18th to beat Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts, after the two had been locked together all day in a tense battle. It meant he added another victory to his back-to-back Dunhill successes in 2016 and 2017.
“I’ve had a great run, but I know that links golf can always come back and bite you, so you have to play with more patience and be ready for anything,” he added. “You’ve really got to stick in there. I suppose that’s what makes it so much fun and such a reward if you can win.”
He will be joined by major champions from five countries in what is one of the strongest international fields ever seen in the competition. England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, Germany’s Martin Kaymer, American Patrick Reed and Australia’s Cameron Smith are all in the field. They join two other major champions, Brooks Koepka and Bubba Watson.
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
Also back at St Andrews will be the ever-popular Tommy Fleetwood, two-time runner-up for the individual professional title and winner of the 2019 Team Championship. He still holds the course record of 63 at Carnoustie which he achieved in the 2017 Championship with nine birdies in a flawless round.
Fleetwood said: “I’ve always loved the Old Course and St Andrews, ever since I played the Links Trophy as an amateur. I enjoy playing every year with my team-mate and close friend Ogden. St Andrews is a very special place that I look forward to returning to every year and I love the atmosphere of the Dunhill Links seeing old friends and meeting some new! It’s one of the best weeks of the schedule without a doubt.”
Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, won the Dunhill Links individual professional title, as well as the Team Championship with his mother Susan in 2023. This year he will be playing with his dad Russell hoping to match that achievement.
Three-time major winner Harrington, who won the individual title and the Team Championship twice, in 2002 and 2006, playing with J.P. McManus, will be trying to equal Hatton’s record as a winner of three Dunhill Links titles.
Kaymer had a golden year in 2010, winning the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, the KLM Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links, becoming the first player since Tiger Woods in 2006 to win three successive events in a year. He also won the US Open in 2014 at the difficult Pinehurst course by eight shots.
Reed won the Masters in 2018 and finished third earlier this year behind Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose. He also finished fourth in the US Open in 2018 and second in the US PGA in 2017.
Smith has enormous credentials at the Home of Golf. He came from four behind in 2022 to shoot a 64 in the final round of The 150th Open Championship to win the Claret Jug.
Marco Penge and Kristoffer Reitan both narrowly missed out on Ryder Cup selection. Penge took a holiday after his superhuman efforts to make the team but will return to the fold refreshed and determined to win again.
Tony Finau is another who was disappointed to miss out on Bethpage Black. The big-hitting American has had a fairly quiet season but is always good value.
Aldrich Potgieter is widely regarded as being one of the brightest young prospects in the game. The South African has already established himself on the PGA Tour and hits the ball a country mile. If conditions are benign it would be a surprise if he does not contend.
However, my pick this week is Robert MacIntyre. The left-hander is still without a win in 2025 but has come close, most notably at the US Open. And he loves nothing more than playing in front of a home gallery.
With a prize fund of $5 million, the Alfred Dunhill Links incorporates two separate competitions – an Individual professional tournament and the Team Championship in which the professionals are paired with amateur golfers, including tennis legend Sir Andy Murray in 2025.
For the first three days entry is free, tickets are not needed.
The Courses:
The Dunhill is played over three courses – The Old Course at St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie. They are all classic links courses and the key will be the weather. If it remains calm and dry for four days you will see some low scoring. But if the wind blows we could witness some very high-profile golfers blowing their tops.
Tournament Winners:
It was won in 2015 by Thorbjorn Olesen, in 2016, 2017 and 2024 by Tyrrell Hatton, in 2018 by Lucas Bjerregaard, in 2019 by Victor Perez, in 2021 by Danny Willett, in 2022 by Ryan Fox and in 2023 by Matt Fitzpatrick. There was no tournament in 2020 because of the pandemic.
Form Guide:
Tyrrell Hatton simply adores this tournament, having won it three times but I believe that playing in front of a home gallery is going to bring the very best out of Robert MacIntyre.
Prize Money:
Total prize money is $5m with the winner collecting 5,000 Race to Dubai points.
How to Watch:
Thursday, October 2, Sky Sports Golf, midday’ Friday, October 3, Sky Sports Golf, midday; Saturday, October 4, Sky Sports Golf, midday; Sunday, October 5, Sky Sports Golf, 11.30am.
To Win:
Robert MacIntyre. Passionate Scot
Each Way:
Tommy Fleetwood. Always a likely contender
Each Way:
Aldrich Potgieter. Hugely exciting talent
Five to Follow:
Robert MacIntyre. Will want to do it for home fans
Tommy Fleetwood. Loves links golf
Aldrich Potgieter. Massive hitter
Tyrrell Hatton. Three-time champion
Matt Fitzpatrick. Back to his very best
Five Outsiders to Watch:
George Coetzee. A real enigma
Brandon Robinson-Thompson. Has enjoyed a fine season
Guido Migliozzi. Trending in the right direction
Pablo Larrazabal. In need of a big finish to the year
Bernd Wiesberger. Looking for his best form
This Alfred Dunhill Links Championship preview article was written in collaboration with Betway.
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