Open Champion Shane Lowry in strongest ever Alfred Dunhill Links field

Open champion Shane Lowry, World No 6 Jon Rahm, US Ryder Cup star Tony Finau, former Masters champion Danny Willett and two-time Major Champion Martin Kaymer are among the latest entries for this year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

They join a world-class field which includes World No 2 Rory McIlroy, World No 4 Justin Rose and Major Champions Padraig Harrington, the current European Ryder Cup captain, Ernie Els, Graeme McDowell, Trevor Immelman and Michael Campbell.

Lowry said: “I always love playing the Alfred Dunhill Links, it’s a different sort of tournament made special by playing with some really interesting amateurs – above all it’s fun and returning to the Old Course as Open Champion is something I’ll really enjoy.”

Among the other big names in the field are two-time runner-up Tommy Fleetwood, double Alfred Dunhill Links Champion Tyrrell Hatton and ever popular Lee Westwood, winner in 2003, who showed what a rich vein of form he is in when he finished fourth in The Open at Portrush. Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard will be back to defend his title.

Fleetwood, who was second in the Open Championship at Royal Portrush in July, said: “I’ve always loved the Old Course, and the town, ever since I played the Links Trophy as an amateur. There are places in the town where there are pictures of guys sitting on the Swilken Bridge with the Dunhill trophy. I’ve come so close, I would love to have my picture up there as well.”

They are joined by a powerful group of English golfers, including Ross Fisher, who finished second in 2016 and 2017, when he created the current Old Course record of 61, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Eddie Pepperell and Matt Wallace, who finished third in this year’s US PGA Championship.

The enormously popular Luke Donald also returns, along with Chinese star Li Haotong, winner of the Team Championship last year with WeChat inventor Allen Zhang.

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a celebration of links golf at its finest, takes place over three of the greatest and most historic courses in the world – the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.

This is the 35th year that Alfred Dunhill has supported golf at St Andrews, through the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and previously the Alfred Dunhill Cup. Millions have been raised for charity in that time through the work of the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation.

The Championship, which will be staged from September 26 – 29, incorporates two separate competitions - an individual professional tournament for the world's leading golfers and the Team Championship, in which the pro’s are paired with amateur players, creating a unique atmosphere and camaraderie.

Among the amateurs already confirmed are sporting greats like Sir Steve Redgrave, Kevin Pietersen, Shane Warne, Luis Figo, Ruud Gullit, Vinnie Jones, Jamie Redknapp, Andriy Shevchenko and Sir Anthony (AP) McCoy, plus TV and showbiz stars Justin Timberlake, Ronan Keating, Brian McFadden and Piers Morgan.

Admission is free for all spectators over the first three days with final day tickets on Sunday, September 29 available to purchase at the entrance gates for £20 (Concessions £15), or in advance here