What is the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship format, and who are the celebrity players?

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is held across three of Scotland’s most iconic golf courses, including the legendary St. Andrews. It brings together a mix of professional golfers and celebrity amateurs for a unique event on the golf calendar. The tournament allows amateurs to team up with professionals in a competitive setting, which is rare in any sport.

In most sports, amateurs don’t get to compete alongside professionals at the highest level. For example, you can’t just come off the bench and play with Manchester United in football. However, in this tournament, amateurs get to experience what it’s like to compete with professionals, and it’s even more special because it’s at St. Andrews, the cradle of golf.

The relaxed atmosphere and the prestige of playing on world-class courses like St. Andrews, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarns make the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship a fan favorite. Amateurs and pros enjoy the lighthearted environment, where competition and camaraderie mix seamlessly.

In the professional competition, the traditional stroke play rules are followed over 72 holes, with a 36-hole cut. The top 60 professionals and ties play in the final round.

For the pro-am competition, the best-ball format is used, where both players of the team play on the same hole. The team’s score is the lower score of the professional and the amateur’s net score. The top 20 pro-am teams make it to the final round, regardless of the professional member making the individual cut.

It’s a fun event that’s more laid-back than usual tour events. It’s an excellent opportunity to see incredible people who share the same passion for golf, even if they don’t do it for a living.

Celebrities are in the spotlight for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

The tournament regularly attracts big names from the entertainment world. Bill Murray, a long-time participant, is a familiar face at the Dunhill. Actor Hugh Grant, a keen golfer with a single-figure handicap, also enjoys the challenge.

From the world of music, there are appearances from Linkin Park bass player Dave Farrell, Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres, and one of the most successful musicians of the 1980s, Huey Lewis. The majority of the famous names come from the world of sport, with former soccer players including ex-Real Madrid star and keen golfer Gareth Bale, former Netherlands midfielder and Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit, and former England midfielder turned TV personality Jamie Redknapp.

Other figures from the world of sport include jockey Sir AP McCoy, five-time Olympic gold medal-winning rower Sir Steve Redgrave, former Denver Broncos NFL quarterback John Elway, and professional surfer Kelly Slater.

TV personality Piers Morgan, who has participated in the event for several years, reflected on the unique opportunity to play alongside top golfers, saying that for the professional guys, it’s effortless. Still, it’s serious for the celebrities – it’s their livelihood. Playing in a real competition with professionals trying to win millions of pounds is a unique experience. He made a parallel between playing tennis with Roger Federer and playing football with Lionel Messi – something you just don’t get that chance in other sports.