TOM MCKIBBIN
The Legion XIII rising star has had a strong start to his offseason, finishing T20 at the Amgen Irish Open and T11 at the BMW PGA Championship. The Northern Irishman will be making his third appearance at the Dunhill Links, with his best finish coming in 2023 (T14). With his current form and experience playing links golf, McKibbin is a strong candidate to be a contender this week.
ADRIAN MERONK
Adrian Meronk has had a lackluster stretch on the DP World Tour following the conclusion of the LIV Golf season. The Cleeks GC star has played in three events, missing the cut in all three. Meronk has played in the Dunhill Links on four occasions with minimal success. His best finish was a T22 in 2022.
LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN
The Stinger GC captain has three top-10 finishes in nine starts at the Dunhill Links, with his best finish coming in 2011 (T5). The South African won the 2010 Open Championship at St. Andrews so clearly has plenty of experience playing one of the world’s most iconic courses. Oosthuizen hasn’t played frequently on the DP World Tour in recent years but typically will play the South African Open, Mauritus Open and the Dunhill Links. In recent years, his partner in the pro-am has been his close friend and South African billionaire, Johann Rupert.
THOMAS PIETERS
Thomas Pieters has played the Dunhill Links on six occasions, with his best finish coming in his debut start (T18). The Belgian ended the LIV Golf season strong, finishing T8 in two consecutive starts in Chicago and Indianapolis.
DAVID PUIG
David Puig dazzled in his debut at last year’s Dunhill Links, finishing T4 and shooting the second-lowest round of the week at Kingsbarns Golf Links (63). His power off the tee should give him the opportunity to go low at St. Andrews, which he failed to do last year, costing him a chance at victory. The Fireballs GC star should be a contender this week.
PATRICK REED
Patrick Reed has played twice on the DP World Tour since his LIV Golf season came to an end, and made a serious charge at Wentworth in the BMW Championship, finishing T3 after firing a Sunday 66. Reed has only played the Dunhill Links twice. He missed the cut in 2011 and finished T35 in 2024.
CAMERON SMITH
The Ripper GC captain had one of the most memorable major championship performances in the history of professional golf when he chased down Rory McIlroy on Sunday of the 2022 Open Championship. He finished at 20-under par (268), setting a new Open Championship record for the lowest score to par at St. Andrews. Smith’s bogey-free 8-under 64 was the lowest final-round score by a champion in Open history, overcoming a four-shot deficit. With the victory, he became the first Australian to win The Open since Greg Norman in 1993 and the third Aussie to win at St. Andrews. Smith will be making his debut at the Dunhill Links.
BRENDAN STEELE
Steele will be making his debut at the Dunhill Links and hasn’t played on the DP World Tour since the Scottish Open in 2016. The HyFlyers GC stalwart will look to find some form after finishing 45th in the LIV Golf standings in 2025.
CALEB SURRATT
Caleb Surratt played in the Dunhill Links last season and missed the cut. He struggled mightily around the green, losing 2.41 strokes per round for the week. His approach play was fantastic, gaining 1.9 strokes per round. If the 21-year-old can learn from his 2024 start, he may be a bit more comfortable playing links golf this week.
PETER UIHLEIN
Peter Uihlein has made six starts at the Dunhill Links, with four finishes of 22nd or better. His best finish came in 2013 where he finished runner-up. Uihlein is no stranger to going low in the tournament. Last year, he shot a second-round 7-under 65 at Carnoustie, which was tied for the lowest round of the week at the most difficult of the three tracks.
BUBBA WATSON
Bubba Watson had a fantastic season in 2025, finishing 11th in the LIV Golf standings. The RangeGoats GC captain will be making his debut at the Dunhill Links and has rarely played on the DP World Tour over the course of his career. Watson did play at St. Andrews in both the 2010 and 2015 Open Championship, missing the cut on both occasions.
