Lowdown: The European Tour returns to Scotland this week for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. South Africa's Branden Grace defends the title over the Old Course St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.
A strong field has assembled on Scotland's east coast for this event. No fewer than 12 Major champions will contest the tournament, including Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Padraig Harrington.
The first three rounds are played over St Andrews Old Course, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie and those who make the cut play a final round over the Old Course. The split of venues provides spectators with a unique opportunity to get close to the professionals and to their famous partners. Over the first three days admission is free, with a ticket price of just £20 (£15 concessions) on the final day at St Andrews.
In last year's competition, South African Branden Grace claimed a fourth European Tour victory of the season at St Andrews. He carded a four-round total of 22-under par to beat Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen by two shots.
Venue: Old Course St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie, Scotland Date: Sep 26-29 Course stats: Old Course par 72, 7,279 yards; Kingsbarns par 72, 7,150 yards; Carnoustie par 72, 7,412 yards Purse: €3,700,940 Winner: €600,000 Defending Champion: Branden Grace (-22)
Player Watch: Charl Schwartzel - The South African played below his potential in last week's Tour Championship. But a last round of 66 promised better things. He's one of the most talented players in world golf and is a competent links player with a good Open record and he finished in the top-10 in this event in 2011.
Brett Rumford - The Australian is on a solid run of form with top 10s at Gleneagles and in Wales then a tied 15th place in the European Masters. He has a pretty solid record in this event with a number of top-30 finishes over the last 10 years. Key hole: 17th Old Course. The most famous hole in world golf, if the competition is tight as the leaders reach the Road Hole for the final time, this is where it'll be won and lost.
