Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026: Tournament Preview & Player Guide
Each autumn, when the winds sweep across St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship brings together elite professional golf, celebrated amateurs and some of Scotland’s most iconic links scenery.
The tournament is one of the most distinctive events on the DP World Tour calendar. Professionals compete for the individual title while also partnering amateurs in a separate Team Championship, creating a format that combines serious competition with the more relaxed atmosphere of a pro-am.
The 2026 edition is particularly significant as it marks the 25th Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Defending champion Robert MacIntyre returns after his four-shot victory in 2025, while a strong field includes Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka and several other major winners.
When Is The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026?
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026 takes place from Thursday 1 October to Sunday 4 October 2026, with the 25th edition being staged across four days in early October.
The first three rounds are played across the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, with players rotating between the three layouts. The final round is then held on the Old Course at St Andrews.
Early October can provide a genuine links-golf test, with players having to adapt to changing wind, firm fairways and the natural undulations of the courses. The ability to control trajectory and position the ball intelligently can be particularly important when conditions become challenging.
Where Is The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Held?
The championship is played over three of Scotland’s best-known links courses: the Old Course at St Andrews, the Championship Course at Carnoustie and Kingsbarns Golf Links.
The Old Course at St Andrews is widely regarded as the Home of Golf and is the permanent venue for the final round. Its famous double greens, deep bunkers, large putting surfaces and distinctive routing make position and strategy important throughout the round.
Carnoustie provides a different examination. The Championship Course is renowned for its demanding approach shots, difficult bunkering and exposed coastal conditions. Its closing holes have produced some of the most memorable moments in major championship history.
Kingsbarns, located south of St Andrews, is a comparatively modern links course. It combines broad fairways, substantial changes in elevation and coastal holes, creating a different challenge from the more traditional layouts at St Andrews and Carnoustie.
The three-course rotation is central to the tournament’s identity. Players must adapt quickly because the conditions and strategic demands can change significantly from one venue to the next.
What Is The Purse For The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship?
The 2026 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship has a total prize fund of US$5 million.
The individual professional competition accounts for US$4.8 million, while US$200,000 is allocated to the Team Championship and paid to the professional members of the winning teams. The individual winner receives US$816,000, with US$528,000 for second place and US$302,400 for third.
The tournament features 168 professional golfers and 168 amateurs. Although the professional field is reduced to the leading 60 players and ties after three rounds, prize money and DP World Tour Ranking Points are distributed according to the standard Tour cut to the leading 65 professionals and ties.
The Team Championship has its own prize structure, with US$50,000 awarded to the winning professional, US$30,000 to the runner-up and US$20,000 for third place.
Who Is Playing at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026?
The 2026 field contains 168 professionals, alongside 168 amateur partners. The professional line-up includes defending champion Robert MacIntyre, three-time winner Tyrrell Hatton, 2023 champion Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka, Francesco Molinari, Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald, Cameron Smith, Bubba Watson and Danny Willett.
MacIntyre returns to defend the title he won in 2025. The Scottish left-hander produced a final-round 66 at St Andrews to finish 18 under par and four shots clear of Hatton.
Hatton is attempting to win the championship for a fourth time. He previously lifted the trophy in consecutive years in 2016 and 2017, before winning again in 2024.
The 2026 field also has a strong major-championship presence. Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka, Matt Fitzpatrick and Francesco Molinari are among the major winners confirmed to compete, while Fleetwood, MacIntyre and Hatton add further experience of the event and links golf.
The tournament’s format means the amateur competition is more than a sideshow. Each professional is paired with an amateur, with the Team Championship running alongside the individual professional event.
Who Are Favourites To Win The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship?
Matt Fitzpatrick enters the event after winning the 2026 Open de France and was among the leading names in the outright market at the start of the championship. Fleetwood, MacIntyre and Hatton were also among the shortest-priced players.
MacIntyre has the advantage of returning as defending champion, while Hatton brings an exceptional record at the event, having already won three times. Fitzpatrick is also a former champion, having won the 2023 edition.
The 2026 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship combines a $5 million prize fund, three historic Scottish links courses and a field containing major champions, Ryder Cup players and high-profile amateurs.
With Robert MacIntyre defending his title and Tyrrell Hatton seeking a record-equalling fourth victory, the 25th edition has plenty of established storylines alongside the unpredictable nature of links golf.
Bet on the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Bet442
Bet442 provides several Alfred Dunhill Links Championship betting markets, including the overall tournament winner, correct score, individual matches and player-related markets.
Betting markets and available prices can change, particularly during a live tournament, so the latest terms and odds should always be checked directly with the operator.
Bet442 is licenced and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring a safe and secure betting experience.
Always remember to gamble responsibly by sticking to a strict budget within your means and making use of any responsible gambling tools available.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.