It could be McIlroy v Horschel again, as Koepka and Rahm return to Old Course
The competition for next week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship features one of the strongest fields in the history of the event - and the possibility of a Rory McIlroy v Billy Horschel re-match.
Last year’s winner Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, will be back at St Andrews to defend his title, and among those who have confirmed they will be playing are some of the other biggest international stars in the game, including an impressive line-up of Major Champions.
For the St Andrews galleries there is also the mouth-watering prospect of celebrating a historic Scottish double if local hero Bob MacIntyre can add the Alfred Dunhill Links title to the Genesis Scottish Open which he won in July.
After the excitement of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth when Billy Horschel beat Rory McIlroy in a sudden death play-off, the prospect of watching these two brilliant stars again will be a joy for golf fans. Also playing will be South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, who was the third member of the play-off.
World No.17 Horschel said: “I would love to win the event obviously. To be able to win any event at the Home of Golf would be special. To have that iconic photo on the Swilken Bridge would be something I would cherish. So hopefully I can put four good rounds together and be able to say I was victorious at the Dunhill.
“My game’s been really good in 2024. It's been consistent throughout the year. I've played really well the last two months, which started at The Open, so I'm excited about my game and want to continue the momentum.
“I think coming over here the last four or five years and playing on the DP World Tour in a handful of events means the fans over here have sort of taken me under their wing, which I’m very appreciative of. I know a lot of Americans don't travel a lot, but I wanted to play around the world and play on the European Tour which I grew up watching,” added Billy.
At St Andrews, Horschel and McIlroy will both be looking over their shoulders at a blue-chip collection of Major Champions. As well as four-time winner Rory, there is five-time winner Brooks Koepka, 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry, 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, who won the claret jug at St Andrews, two-time winner Jon Rahm, 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed and 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett.
Padraig Harrington, himself a three-time Major Champion, and Tyrrell Hatton will both be playing, hoping to become the first three-time winner of the Alfred Dunhill Links. And Tommy Fleetwood is playing again after winning the Olympic silver medal in Paris and hoping to go even further than in 2019, when he won the Team Championship.
Matt Fitzpatrick, who is defending the Individual title and the Team Championship, which he won with his mum Sue, said: “It doesn’t get much better than winning at St Andrews. Last year I felt very relaxed and focused on playing well with my mum, not putting pressure on myself or getting frustrated. I think I’m going to go into it in the same way. I’ll work on my game and get it ready, but I won’t be trying anything different.”
Brooks Koepka, winner of two US Opens and three US PGA Championships, says he cannot wait to come back to Scotland. “I’ve been fortunate to play in several Dunhill Links, as well as two Open Championships at St. Andrews over the years, and these trips are always highlights. I love Links golf and St. Andrews is my favourite course in the world.”
Whoever wins next week, one thing is sure. No one will have more support than Bob MacIntyre, who is hoping his brilliant summer continues, after wins in the Canadian Open as well as the Scottish Open. The last Scot to win the Alfred Dunhill Links was Colin Montgomerie in 2005 and Bob believes it’s time for another.
He said: “I can’t believe there hasn’t been a Scottish winner since then. It would be great if I could change that. I’m also incredibly thrilled to be able to play with my dad in the Team Championship. For us to play together in a proper Championship at the Home of Golf, is just amazing. It was a very special moment for us in Canada when dad was on the bag. Now we can see what we can do together with clubs in our hands.”
In addition to MacIntyre, there is real Scottish strength in depth this year with Grant Forrest, Calum Hill, Scott Jamieson, David Law, Richie Ramsay and Connor Syme making it a formidable line-up.
The Alfred Dunhill Championship is a celebration of Links golf and is played over three great Links courses – the Old Course St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, from October 3 – 6.
