The famous British actress Catherine Zeta-Jones will be one of the film stars competing this week, teaming up with professional golfers in the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which is held on three of the best links courses in the world: the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. This will be her first time on the ‘field’, although her connection with the tournament dates back to 2005, when her husband, Michael Douglas, teamed up with Colin Montgomerie.
“I really enjoyed the tournament years ago and was able to play a round on practice days. The atmosphere was fantastic and the fans really encouraged me. Now, being able to play the Dunhill Links Championship is a dream come true and I can’t wait for it to start,” the actress told the official website of the DP World Tour just under 24 hours before the competition kicks off on the islands. But Zeta-Jones is not the only celebrity present at this event…
Andy García, Kathryn Newton and Matthew Goode will also represent the film world competing with the stars participating in this event. They will be joined by musicians such as Ronan Keating, Tom Chaplin from Keane, Dave Farrell from Linkin Park and Mike Rutherford from Genesis and Mike and the Mechanics, as well as American rock legends Huey Lewis and Tico Torres from Bon Jovi. Also playing in the tournament is Piers Morgan, author, columnist and host of the daily show Piers Morgan Uncensored on the new Talk TV channel.
Kathryn Newton was a golfer in her youth
Kathryn Newton, from Orlando (Florida), has been playing golf since she was very young, in tournaments from the age of eight. When she was in high school she used to score 70 strokes and her state record of five under par in a nine-hole match still stands. Her dream was to play in the US Women’s Open in 2012, but she withdrew from the qualifying stage after landing the lead role in Paranormal Activity 4.
Known for her roles in the CBS comedy series Gary Unmarried, the HBO mystery drama Big Little Lies, and the Netflix drama The Society, she most recently starred as the new superheroine of Marvel in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Without a doubt, a unique opportunity to enjoy successful artists setting aside the spotlights, cameras and microphones for a few days to enjoy the sport.
Three champions of the Ryder Cup from Rome
With a prize fund of five million dollars, the tournament includes two separate competitions: the individual professional event, with some of the world’s best, including three winners of last week’s Ryder Cup in Rome, and a team championship in which the professionals group with amateur players creating a unique atmosphere.
The defending champion, Ryan Fox, will once again be the man to watch after his fantastic victory in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, but the 2022 US Open champion, Matt Fitzpatrick, who will play with his brother in the first two rounds, and the team champion of the 2019 Alfred Dunhill Links, Tommy Fleetwood, who just lifted the Ryder at the Marco Simone last Sunday, will try to stop him.
The Irishman Padraig Harrington, now a star of the senior circuit, will seek a third record title after winning in 2002 and 2006, while Billy Horschel and Matt Kuchar aspire to become the first American winner of the tournament.
As for the local players, there has not been a Scottish triumph since Colin Montgomerie‘s in 2005 and, as always, there will be a strong ‘host’ challenge led by Bob MacIntyre, the top Scottish player in the world ranking, who came very close in July to winning the Genesis Scottish Open and just won the Ryder with the European team of Luke Donald, and Connor Syme, who finished tied for 10th place in the BMW PGA behind Fox.
A record… and eight Spaniards
There will be a special welcome at St Andrews for David Howell, who will enjoy a double celebration. Not only is it the 10th anniversary of his famous victory in 2013 at the Alfred Dunhill Links, but he will also set a new record for appearances in European / DP World Tour events. Last week’s French Open was his 721st tournament, equalling the record of Miguel Ángel Jiménez, which means he will set a new record at the Alfred Dunhill Links.
Representing the Spanish Armada, the following will be present at this tournament: Jorge Campillo, Adri Arnaus, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Santi Tarrio, Ángel Hidalgo, Nacho Elvira, Sebastián García Rodríguez and Alejandro del Rey, in search of the fifth victory of the season for our players on the circuit (including Jon Rahm’s Masters).
