Andy Murray has spent most of his life being known for exchanging backhands with tennis legends and winning major tournaments, but now the three-time Grand Slam champion has officially crossed over to golf.
Murray played alongside world No. 547 Eddie Pepperell this week at the DP World Tour’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie Championship Course in Scotland. The amateur golfer has his eyes set on one day being able to play in The Open Championship alongside PGA Tour and DP World Tour stars.
“A couple of my friends who are excellent golfers have done it,” Murray told The Times. “If I can improve enough, I think it would be a fun thing to do.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be capable of entering, but I want to try and play in a few more events,” he said. “I’ve been pretty amazed at how willing the pros are to help because spending five hours with people hacking it around probably isn’t that enjoyable.”
Murray and Pepperell are 15 under through two rounds (65, 64), and Murray is No. 25 on the team leaderboard. Their combined score of 129 remains far from the -24 four-way tie for first place.
The retired tennis legend has been quietly transforming golf into his preferred midlife pastime. He secured the BTJA Mike Dickson Golf Day team trophy last fall, eagled the 18th hole at St Andrews earlier this year (and proudly announced it) and appeared at the BMW PGA Pro-Am.
In 2024, Murray stepped away from tennis with 46 ATP titles, three Grand Slams, and two Olympic gold medals. He secured a lasting reputation in the sport’s mental landscape for anyone attempting to defeat him.
“I’m just trying to get better,” he said. “If I can compete at The Open, even for a round, that would be incredible. But for now, I’m just trying not to embarrass myself.”
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The tennis legend still showed his skill level compared to the pros and was humbled by a botched bunker shot, with the ball barely moving from its spot in the sand trap. The crowd laughed as Murray doubled over in embarrassment, and fans were instantly reminded of how he compares to the pros on the course.
“I know, I know, I’m terrible at golf,” said Murray to his fans.
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which began in 2001, is among the few team-based golf events. It features 168 professionals paired with amateurs, including celebrities such as Michael Douglas, Samuel L. Jackson and Gareth Bale. The event resembles the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and offers a total prize purse of $5 million, with the winner receiving $800,000.
