Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Preview: Field, betting odds, tee times and how to watch

Movie star Bill Murray chats to former Irish international rugby union player Brian O Driscoll

After the Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club and the Open Championship held at Troon, the DP World Tour returns to Scotland this week with the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

While conditions might be slightly different from the Scottish Open and The Open Championship, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is one of the most popular on the schedule, especially with the sheer volume of celebrities that turn up to the event.

Regulars such as Bill Murray, Steve Redgrave and Huey Lewis will be returning to Scotland, with Gareth Bale also set to tee it up. It isn’t just the rich and famous who will partner up with a pro this week, however, as some will have family members playing alongside them.

Rory McIlroy and Robert MacIntyre will team up with their fathers, while Matt Fitzpatrick and his mum will play together once again. The Englishman claimed both the individual and team titles last year, and he will be hoping to make it back-to-back wins in both events.

The celebs will catch the eye, of course, but this year the crowd will be able to watch several LIV players in action. Indeed, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen are in the field, proving how much of a draw the tournament is.

With just three events to go in the ‘Back 9’ swing after this, those at the top of the Race to Dubai standings will be looking to strengthen their position as the playoffs loom on the horizon. For those players who are clinging on to a place in the top 70, a strong week in Scotland could certainly bolster their chances of qualifying for the DP World Tour Play-Offs.

At the time of writing, McIlroy, MacIntyre, Thriston Lawrence, Tommy Fleetwood, Adam Scott, Justin Rose, Niklas Nørgaard, Matt Wallace and Rasmus Højgaard have secured their spots. Who will join them this week?

Where is the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship played?

What is unique about the event is that it is played across three different courses. The Old Course in St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns Golf Links are used, with each golfer and their amateur partner playing a round at each of the three iconic tracks.

The Old Course has held the Open a record 30 times, most recently in 2022. Although considered the ‘easiest’ of the three courses used this week, the conditions could impact the scores, as the final round was played on Monday last year due to adverse weather.

Carnoustie may have hosted the oldest major just eight times in comparison, but it is arguably the most difficult course on the Open rota. The professionals will be glad they only have to play one round on the renowned Links track this week.

Kingsbarns may not have the same sort of pedigree as the other two venues, but it did host the Women’s Open in 2017. The course was ranked 86^th in Golf’s top 100 last year, evidence of its stature, not just in Scotland, but across the globe.

Who is in the field for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship?

Alongside Rahm and Koepka, a further 12 LIV golfers will tee it up at the Dunhill Links Championships this week. Among them are Tyrrell Hatton, Patrick Reed and former winner of the event Branden Grace.

While McIlroy and MacIntyre will likely draw large groups of fans, the likes of Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Nicolai Hojgaard are teeing it up.

Billy Horschel, recent winner of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, returns to the DPWT in an event where he finished in a tie for 14^th last year.

The full field for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship can be found here.

What is the format of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship?

Heavily influenced by the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, the format is different to that of a regular tour event.

The field comprises 168 professionals and 168 amateurs, with two separate competitions taking place during the week – the Team Championship and the DPWT sanctioned event.

After a 54-hole cut, the top 60 pros and 20 leading teams play the Old Course for the final round.

Who will win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship?

Selected odds for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship will appear here when available.

How much will the winner of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship receive?

The Dunhill Links has a prize purse of $5m, making it one of the most lucrative on the DPWT. The winner will take home a cheque for around $900k along with 5,000 Race to Dubai points and 1,500 Ryder Cup points.

Who has won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship?

There was no tournament in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

How to watch the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

Viewers in the UK can watch the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Sky Sports Golf. All times BST

Thursday, 3 October: Sky Sports Golf, 12.00
Friday, 4 October: Sky Sports Golf, 12.00
Saturday, 5 October: Sky Sports Golf, 12.00
Sunday, 6 October: Sky Sports Golf, 11.30

Viewers in the US can watch all four days of the tournament on the Golf Channel. All times EDT

Thursday, 3 October: Golf Channel, 07.00
Friday, 4 October: Golf Channell, 07.00
Saturday, 5 October: Golf Channel, 07.00
Sunday, 6 October: Golf Channel, 06.30

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship: Tee times and groupings

Tee times and groupings for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship will appear here when announced.

About the Author

Ross Kilvington – Contributing Golf News Writer

Ross Kilvington is a freelance writer from Scotland who currently writes previews for Today’s Golfer, covering events on the DP World, PGA, and LPGA tours along with the LIV Golf Series.

Ross holds a passionate interest in golf and tries to play as often as possible, although having two daughters under the age of 6 means his quest to break 80 will have to wait a little longer.

Despite first picking up a club aged 11, highlights are few and far between on the golf course.

An Eagle on the par-4 16th at Kinghorn is one that stands out (it doesn’t matter that it was only 290 yards).