Golf
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2026 Celebrity Lineup: Bale, Murray And Gullit
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship returns to St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns from 1–4 October, offering one of the most distinctive tests of the DP World Tour season and here are William Hill News’ predictions.
Matt Fitzpatrick is the 9/1 favourite, with Tommy Fleetwood 10/1, defending champion Robert MacIntyre 12/1 and Tyrrell Hatton 14/1 leading a high-class field across the three Scottish links.
Tournament overview and celebrities
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship combines world-class professional golf with a team competition featuring celebrity amateurs.
For the first three rounds, the field rotates between the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns before the leading professionals return to St Andrews for Sunday’s final round.
Celebrity players to watch
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is unique because every professional is paired with an amateur for the first three rounds, ensuring plenty of star power across Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and the Old Course.
The headline celebrity field includes:
- Gareth Bale – The former Wales and Real Madrid star is one of golf’s most recognisable celebrity players and will attract huge crowds throughout the week.
- James Milner – The former Premier League midfielder makes his Dunhill Links debut after retiring from professional football.
- Ruud Gullit – The Netherlands, AC Milan and Chelsea legend returns to one of golf’s biggest pro-am events.
- Bill Murray – The Caddyshack and Ghostbusters actor is back for his 11th appearance and remains one of the tournament’s most popular figures.
- Michael Peña – The Hollywood actor is another familiar face in the Dunhill Links celebrity field.
- Piers Morgan – The broadcaster and journalist is scheduled for his sixth appearance.
- Ronan Keating – The singer is set for his 14th start at the tournament, making him one of the event’s most experienced celebrity competitors.
- Tom Chaplin – The Keane frontman returns to the Old Course, where he has previously enjoyed the unique challenge of playing one of golf’s most famous venues.
- Dave Farrell – The Linkin Park bassist is due to make his 10th Dunhill Links appearance.
- Huey Lewis – The American singer-songwriter adds further music-world pedigree to the field.
- Sir Steve Redgrave – The five-time Olympic gold medallist has been part of the event since its inception in 2001.
- Kevin Pietersen – The former England cricketer is a regular on the celebrity-golf circuit and returns to Scotland.
- Kelly Slater – The 11-time world surfing champion brings another global sporting name to the three-course rotation.
- Sean Fitzpatrick – The former All Blacks captain completes a strong cast of sporting greats.
Matt Fitzpatrick – 9/1
Matt Fitzpatrick heads the William Hill betting at 9/1 and is the player to beat.
His accuracy, strategic discipline and exceptional scrambling make him an ideal fit for a tournament in which avoiding mistakes is as important as making birdies.
Fitzpatrick has the control to manage firm fairways and heavy wind, while his sharp putting gives him an edge when scoring opportunities are limited.
He is also comfortable on major-championship-style setups, and Carnoustie’s tougher examination should play to his strengths rather than hinder them.
At 9/1, Fitzpatrick is the obvious headline selection. He has the complete game to handle all three courses and the temperament to remain patient if conditions become difficult.
Tommy Fleetwood – 10/1
Fleetwood is a natural links specialist and looks very appealing at 10/1.
His ball flight, creativity and ability to manufacture shots in strong winds are tailor-made for golf on the east coast of Scotland.
He has enough length to make birdies at Kingsbarns, the discipline to plot his way around Carnoustie and the imagination to thrive at St Andrews.
That all-round versatility is essential in a three-course tournament, particularly when a player can face very different conditions on consecutive days.
Fleetwood’s iron play will be key. If he finds fairways and controls his approaches into the shared greens, he should create enough chances to contend throughout the week.
Prediction: Tommy Fleetwood to finish in the top 10, with 10/1 a strong outright alternative.
Robert MacIntyre – 12/1
Robert MacIntyre returns as defending champion and starts at 12/1.
The Scot has a clear advantage in comfort and confidence on links terrain, and the support he receives in Scotland can provide an extra lift over four demanding days.
MacIntyre has the game required to compete on each of the three courses.
He is long enough to score when conditions are favourable, inventive enough to escape trouble and experienced at judging the wind. Those attributes helped him win last year and make him a serious threat to defend his title.
Defending can bring more pressure than chasing, but MacIntyre should embrace the spotlight. His confidence at home and proven record in the event make him a key player in the outright market.
