DP World Tour Alfred Dunhill Links Championship: Three Courses Put to the Test

The DP World Tour Alfred Dunhill Links Championship will take place from October 1 through 4 in St. Andrews, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarns. The tournament is particularly interesting for the season standings because Patrick Reed, who leads the Race to Dubai, will be absent due to injury. The American had already withdrawn early from the BMW PGA Championship due to a wrist injury, missed the FedEx Open de France, and subsequently withdrew from the Dunhill as well. He hopes to make his return at the Open de España on October 8. The total prize money in Scotland is $5 million; Robert MacIntyre is the defending champion.

Here you’ll find the tee times and live scoring for the DP World Tour’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

DP World Tour Alfred Dunhill Links Championship: Three Courses, Two Competitions

The tournament combines an individual competition for 168 professionals with a team competition: each professional plays with an amateur partner. During the first three rounds, the pairs rotate between the Old Course, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarns; on Sunday, the final round is played on the Old Course. After 54 holes, the top 60 professionals (including ties) and the top 20 teams advance. In the team competition, the better net score—whether by the professional or the amateur—counts on each hole. ‍

All three courses are Par-72 courses. Their lengths are approximately 6,741 meters on the Old Course, 6,758 meters at Carnoustie, and 6,607 meters at Kingsbarns. The tournament records on the three courses underscore their scoring potential: the record at Kingsbarns is 60 strokes, at the Old Course it is 61, and at Carnoustie it is 63. Fleetwood set his record at Carnoustie in 2017; Hatton tied the 61 on the Old Course in 2024.

The Old Course is drawing additional attention: Strategic adjustments were made there ahead of the next Open Championship. Hole 16 was widened and given two new Bunkers; in addition, Bunkers on holes 2, 6, and 10 were relocated. As a result, the championship length increased by about 52 meters to approximately 6,741 meters. With its Bunkers, Carnoustie remains a particularly precise test, while Kingsbarns offers more room for aggressive play and calculated risk.

The Favorites for the DP World Tour Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

MacIntyre is the defending champion and, as a Scot, can expect strong support in Fife. In 2025, after the tournament was shortened to 54 holes due to weather, he won by four strokes over Hatton. Three consecutive rounds of 66 secured his victory.

In the 2026 world rankings, Matt Fitzpatrick leads the field at No. 4; Tommy Fleetwood follows in ninth place. Both bring experience on links courses. Justin Rose, ranked 17th in the world, rounds out the English trio with major championship experience. Hatton is ranked 24th and is among the favorites, in part due to his tournament record. Sepp Straka, currently ranked 34th, has a solid track record on the major Tour; Brooks Koepka, a five-time major champion, is also in the field. This lineup combines current rankings with links experience, success, and major-caliber play.

Defending champion MacIntyre, record winner Hatton

The tournament’s history provides an intriguing counterpoint to the title defense: Hatton has won the Dunhill three times and is the record champion. He is also the only player to date to have successfully defended his title—with victories in 2016 and 2017. MacIntyre’s triumph in 2025 made him the first Scottish winner since Colin Montgomerie in 2005. The 2026 edition marks 25 years since the tournament’s debut in 2001; due to the cancellation in 2020, 24 editions have been played to date.

Prize Money, Season Standings, and Outlook

The prize money totals $5 million. On the competitive side, in addition to the individual title, the DP World Tour season standings are in the spotlight. Reed’s absence deprives the field of the Race to Dubai leader; according to the tournament preview, Rory McIlroy and Eugenio Chacarra—the other two frontrunners—will also not be competing. This opens up an opportunity for the contenders to make up ground ahead of the playoffs.

The focus is on MacIntyre’s title defense, Hatton’s quest for a fourth victory, and the question of who will best navigate the transition between three different links courses. The weather could further alter conditions: in 2025, the third round was canceled due to persistent winds. If everything proceeds as usual, the Old Course will decide on Sunday whether the home-course advantage helps MacIntyre—or opens up a late chance for Hatton and the highly ranked challengers.