Updated 30 September 2026: This guide now includes confirmed field highlights, the 2026 Old Course changes, prize-money details, UK TV times and current spectator ticket information.

MacIntyre heads a 168-player professional field that also features Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Sepp Straka, Luke Donald, Brooks Koepka, Bubba Watson, Francesco Molinari and Cameron Smith. With the opening three rounds split across St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, course rotation and links-weather conditions will be central to the week.

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026 Schedule

The event runs for four days and uses three courses. The first three rounds are played at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns with each pair playing one round at each course. On Sunday, the players who make the cut return to the Old Course at St Andrews for the final round.

If you make the cut, you will play the Old Course twice during the week. Carnoustie can be very tough when the wind picks up, while Kingsbarns can give players plenty of chances to make birdies when the conditions are good. So, many things depend on which course you are playing that day.

The Three Courses Behind the Championship

The three courses are a big part of what makes the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026 so interesting.

• St Andrews is a par 72 and measures 7,375 yards for the 2026 championship after a series of changes to the Old Course. Its closing stretch from the 11th to the 17th can play an important role on Sunday.

• Carnoustie measures 7,394 yards and has hosted the Open eight times. It was also the course where Francesco Molinari won in 2018.

• Kingsbarns is the newest of the three and measures 7,227 yards. When the weather is calm, it is usually the easiest of the three for scoring.

What Changed at the Old Course for 2026?

The Old Course has been adjusted ahead of the 2027 Open Championship. For the 2026 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the championship yardage rises by 57 yards to 7,375 yards. New championship tees have been added at the sixth and seventh holes, new bunkers have been introduced at elite driving distance on the sixth and tenth, and the 16th has been reshaped with a wider fairway and two new bunkers. The changes add another layer of interest to the final-round venue without changing the tournament's traditional three-course format. DP World Tour details the 2026 Old Course changes here.

How the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Format Works

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship runs two competitions at the same time: the professional Individual Championship and the pro-am Team Championship.

• 168 professionals are paired with 168 amateur players.

• Each pairing plays one round at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns over the first three days.

• Amateur players receive two-thirds of their official handicap, capped at 18 for men and 24 for women.

• On each hole, the lower net score between the professional and amateur counts towards the team score.

• After three rounds, the top 60 professionals and ties advance in the Individual Championship.

• The top 20 teams also qualify for Sunday's final round.

• Both competitions finish on the Old Course at St Andrews.

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026 Field

The 2026 championship features 168 professionals from 28 nationalities, with players from the DP World Tour and a number of major champions and international stars.

• Defending champion Robert MacIntyre is joined by 2025 Ryder Cup teammates Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Sepp Straka, plus former World No. 1 and Team Europe captain Luke Donald.

• Major champions in the field include Brooks Koepka, Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick, Francesco Molinari and Bubba Watson.

• Cameron Smith adds further major-winning experience, while Hatton returns looking for a record fourth Alfred Dunhill Links title.

• According to the DP World Tour's current tournament preview, Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed and Eugenio Chacarra are not teeing it up this week.

For last-minute withdrawals and the final entry list, check the official DP World Tour entry list.

Celebrity and Amateur Field

The Team Championship again brings together professionals with well-known amateurs. Confirmed names include Bill Murray, Gareth Bale, Michael Peña, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas, James Milner, Ruud Gullit, Ronan Keating, Tom Chaplin, Dave Farrell, Huey Lewis, Sir Steve Redgrave, Kelly Slater, Kevin Pietersen and Sir Tony McCoy. The amateur field can change close to the event, so the official draw remains the best source for final pairings.

Also Read: Golf Tournament Outfits: Spectator Style & Dress Code

Bob MacIntyre Returns as Defending Champion

MacIntyre returns after winning the 2025 championship by four shots over Tyrrell Hatton. Bad weather reduced the event to 54 holes, but MacIntyre still produced a commanding performance to become the first Scottish winner since Colin Montgomerie in 2005.

He now returns to defend the title with home support across all three courses, although a field containing former champions and major winners should provide a much tougher test.

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026 Players to Watch

Hatton will get plenty of attention at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026. He has already won the event three times, and another victory would give him a record fourth title. Padraig Harrington is another name worth watching. He has been a regular at the championship since its early years and has won twice, in 2002 and 2006.

Fleetwood is another familiar face here. He knows the Scottish links courses well and has also won the Team Championship with Ogden Phipps. Koepka has his own reason to chase the title, as no American has won the event yet.

A few things could make a big difference during the week of the tournament:

• Playing three very different courses without losing your rhythm.

• Reading links courses well, especially around the greens.

• Having an amateur partner who can put up some useful scores.

• Staying patient when Carnoustie gets difficult in the wind.

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026 Tee Times and Draw

Because the first three rounds are played across three courses, spectators should check both a player's start time and course assignment before travelling. Pairings can also change because of withdrawals or weather.

The latest official starting times are published on the DP World Tour tee-times page and the Alfred Dunhill Links draw page. The Sunday draw is set after the third-round cut, with the leading 60 professionals and ties and the top 20 teams returning to the Old Course.

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026 Prize Money

The total 2026 prize fund is US$5 million. Of that, US$4.8 million is allocated to the individual professional competition and US$200,000 to the Team Championship, with the team prize paid to the professionals.

The Team Championship pays US$50,000 to the winning professional, US$30,000 for second and US$20,000 for third. The event also carries 5,000 Race to Dubai points and 1,500 Ryder Cup points.

What Sets the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Apart?

The championship was first played in 2001 and celebrates its 25th staging in 2026. The 2020 edition was cancelled, which is why the tournament reaches that milestone this year.

What makes the event unusual is its combination of professional tournament golf, a pro-am team competition and three famous Scottish links courses. Its charitable work through the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation also gives the week a different identity from a typical DP World Tour event.

How to Watch the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026

In the UK and Ireland, the tournament is scheduled to be shown on Sky Sports. DP World Tour's listed live transmission window in UK local time (BST) is:

Coverage is also distributed internationally through DP World Tour broadcast partners. Live scores, tee times and pairings are available throughout the week on the official DP World Tour event page.

Tickets and Spectator Entry

Entry is free on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, and tickets are not required for those three days.

Sunday's final round at St Andrews requires an advance ticket, with no gate sales. Current ticket categories are £20 for adults, £15 for seniors aged 65+, and free entry for under-18s, students and military personnel with valid ID. Spectators planning to attend Sunday should buy in advance through the official ticket page.

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026 FAQs

When is the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026?

The championship takes place from October 1 to 4, 2026, running from Thursday through Sunday.

Which courses are used for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship?

The first three rounds are played across the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. Sunday's final round is played at the Old Course.

Who won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2025?

Robert "Bob" MacIntyre won the 2025 championship by four shots over Tyrrell Hatton. The event was shortened to 54 holes because persistent winds forced the scheduled Saturday round to be cancelled.

How much is the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026 prize money?

The total prize fund is US$5 million, including US$4.8 million for the individual professional competition and US$200,000 for the Team Championship. The individual winner receives US$816,000.

Is Rory McIlroy playing the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026?

No. As of the DP World Tour's latest pre-tournament update on 30 September, Rory McIlroy is not teeing it up in the 2026 event.

How can I watch the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in the UK?

Sky Sports is the listed UK broadcaster. Live coverage is scheduled for 12:00-17:00 BST from Thursday to Saturday and 11:30-17:00 BST on Sunday.

Is entry free for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship?

Entry is free on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Sunday's final round at St Andrews requires an advance ticket: £20 for adults, £15 for seniors aged 65+, with free concessions for under-18s, students and military personnel with valid ID.

Where can I check live scores and tee times?

Use the official DP World Tour event page for live scores and the official tee-times page for current starting times and course assignments.

Conclusion

The 2026 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship combines a 168-player professional field, a high-profile pro-am line-up and four days across three Scottish links courses. MacIntyre returns as defending champion, Hatton is chasing a record fourth title, and the Old Course will play at an increased championship yardage of 7,375 yards before hosting Sunday’s final round.

With the event celebrating its 25th staging, it should be another memorable week of links golf in Scotland.

If you are getting ready for the tournament, you can also check out Druids’ latest golf collection for golf clothing and accessories.