Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
A unique tournament, the Alfred Dunhill Links is Pro-Am event played over three different courses for the first three days, the Old Course St Andrews, the Championship Course Carnoustie and Kingsbarns Golf Links. After all players have played 1 round at each course a cut is made made up of the top 60 professionals and the leading 20 pro-am teams. The final round played at the famous Old Course St Andrews.
Date: 30 September - 3 October, 2021
Defending Champion: Victor Perez
Greens: Fescue/Bentgrass
The Courses
Old Course St Andrews
Length: 6,691 meters
Par: 72
Slope Rating: 113
Not much needs to be said about the Old Course, the traditional home of golf is a piece of magic, a relatively fair golf course provided the wind is favourable and you keep the ball in play off the tee. The famous Road hole (17th) is the toughest hole on the course. Players will want to keep away from the aptly named Hell Bunker on the par 5 14th. Spaning 250 square meters and a highest point of over 7 foot, it's quite a sight.
The Championship Course Carnoustie
Length: 6,761 meters
Par: 72
Slope Rating: 145
Carnoustie is famous for it's brutal pot bunkers and Burns that snake around the course. The closing four holes (three long par-fours and a 225-meter par three) can test those who are under the card approaching the 15th tee.
Kingsbarns Golf Links
Length: 6,608 meters
Par: 72
Slope Rating: 136
Kingsbarns is a picturesque course with views of the North sea on almost every hole. Featuring large fairways with driving zones protected by large pot bunkers and large undulating greens. The shortest of the 3 courses and the only one with four par-fives, big hitters can cash in here.
Our Thoughts
Key Course Stats
- GIR
- Strokes Gained: Approach
- Par 4 Scoring
- Birdie or Better
- Putts/GIR
- Open Championship
- Scottish Open
- Irish Open (when played on a links course)
- Qatar Masters
- Portugal Masters
Tyrell Hatton: Two-time winner of this event who has spent most of this year on the PGA Tour. Was one of Europe’s best at the Ryder Cup. Has an Open T-6. Ranks Top 20 in Strokes Gained: Approach and Putts Per GIR on the PGA Tour.
Robert MacIntyre: Local who loves links golf. Finished Top 8 in the last two Open Championships and Top 18 in the last two Scottish Opens. Ranks 6th in GIR and 14th in Par 4 Scoring.
Calum Hill: Another Scot who profiles well here. Ranks 2nd in Birdies, 6th in Putts Per GIR and 12th in Par 4 Scoring.
George Coetzee: Top-tier putter whose form at the Portugal Masters suggests he is a quality runner in this one. Won there in 2020 and was T-14 the year prior. Also finished 7th in the 2020 Qatar Masters.
Victor Dubisson: Enigmatic Frenchman who should be well suited. Ranks 4th in Birdies and 8th in Par 4 Scoring. Finished 9th in the 2020 Scottish Open. Two Top 5 finishes in his last five starts in this tournament.