Hatton, Harrington and Fitzpatricks to play

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship celebrates its 25th year this October and already many of golf’s biggest names are preparing for the event which is staged over three of the most famous Links courses in the world – the Old Course St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.

While many of the local spectators will be looking to defending champion Bob MacIntyre to win the title again for Scotland, inevitably England’s Tyrrell Hatton, who has now confirmed he will be playing, will be many people’s favourite as he tries to win the event for the fourth time.

A victory for Hatton would match the feats of Sir Nick Faldo, who won the PGA Championship on the European Tour four times, Severiano Ballesteros, who won the French Open four times, and Bernhard Langer, who had four victories in the German Masters.

But it will be anything but a pushover for Hatton. Other early names confirmed for the Championship, taking place from October 1-4, include Padraig Harrington, twice winner in 2002 and 2006, who has played in every Dunhill Links since its creation in 2001, former US Open winner Matt Fitzpatrick, champion in 2023, his brother Alex Fitzpatrick and Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.

Tyrrell Hatton said: “The Alfred Dunhill Links has been a very special Championship for me, and to win a fourth would be a moment of history. I don’t think you ever go into events thinking you could actually win four times, but there is definitely something that suits me about the Dunhill.”

Matt Fitzpatrick famously won both the professional title and the Team Championship with mother Sue in 2023. This year also playing is his brother Alex, aged 27, who has enjoyed a breakthrough 2026, winning the DP World Tour Hero Indian Open in March and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, alongside Matt, in April.

Like Matt Fitzpatrick, popular Irishman Padraig Harrington has won both Dunhill Links individual and team titles. He has partnered racehorse owner J.P.McManus to victory on two occasions.

Just six weeks ago he showed his form is as good as ever when he won his third US Senior Open, in Columbus, Ohio, with two finishing 66s. He became only the second golfer to win three US Senior Opens in its 46-year history and took his career Senior Major Championship titles to four. In addition, he has won three Major Championships, including two Open Championships.

Does Padraig, 54, fancy his chances of a third Alfred Dunhill Links? “Yes, I wouldn’t be playing if I didn’t think I could win. Every time you put me on a Links golf course I feel that I have an advantage. It will be no easier or tougher than any other year, but my game is in a good place and I will be looking forward to the challenge.

“This will be a very special moment for me. It is the 25th staging of the event - I’ve played in all of them and enjoyed each one. This year’s tournament will be a memorable milestone.”

Padraig has had an illustrious Ryder Cup career, being on the winning side four times as a player and he was captain in 2021. Last week he was named vice-captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor by captain Luke Donald, who will also be playing in the Dunhill Links.

With a prize fund of US$5 million, the Alfred Dunhill Links incorporates two separate competitions - an Individual Professional tournament for the world's leading golfers and the Team Championship in which the professionals are paired with amateur golfers which creates a unique atmosphere.

Admission is free for all spectators over the first three days of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. To purchase tickets for the final day, Sunday, October 4, visit: https://www.alfreddunhilllinks.com/tickets