Matt Fitzpatrick will return to St Andrews in October to defend his Alfred Dunhill Links title and try to become only the second golfer in history, along with Tyrrell Hatton, to win back-to-back Championships.
Fitzpatrick, who won last year by three shots, said: “It doesn’t get much better than winning at St Andrews. To play in a tournament there and be in contention is something that you always remember. To say I’ve won a tournament there is even more special.”
With the 2023 event reduced to 54 holes because of weather, he put together brilliant rounds of 67, 64 and 66 at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews for a 19-under-par winning total, and partnered his mother Susan (pictured) in the Team Championship, which the Fitzpatricks won. 2022 US Open champion Fitzpatrick said: “Last year in the Dunhill I felt very relaxed and focused on playing well with my mum, not putting pressure on myself and trying not to get stressed out or getting frustrated.
“The Ryder Cup was the week before. That’s obviously a very stressful week. I’d not really had a great season, so having the feeling of being relaxed and not trying too hard helped to bring out the best in my game.”
The lesson has not been lost on Fitzpatrick who plans to adopt the same approach this October. He said: “I think I’m going to go into it in the same way. It’s one of those championships you want to win, so I’ll work on my game and get it ready for then, but I won’t be trying anything different.
“Links golf is always enjoyable, even if you have to take it with a pinch of salt. You can hit some good shots and get bad bounces, and hit bad shots and get good bounces. It’s just the natural contours of the ground. I think you’ve got to play with more patience on a Links course and you’ve really got to stick in there.”
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is a celebration of Links golf, played over the Old Course St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, from October 3 – 6.
With a prize fund of US$5 million, the Alfred Dunhill Links incorporates two separate competitions – an Individual Professional tournament for the world’s leading golfers and the Team Championship in which the professionals are paired with amateur golfers which creates a unique atmosphere.
Among the golfers who have graced the fairways over the years as well as Matt Fitzpatrick are Major Championship winners such as Rory McIlroy, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, Shane Lowry, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, Sir Nick Faldo and Martin Kaymer. Other popular golfers to have played are two-time winner Tyrrell Hatton, 2022 winner Ryan Fox, Tommy Fleetwood and Americans Billy Horschel and Tony Finau.
For the first three days entry is FREE, tickets are not needed. Only tickets for the final day, Sunday, October 6, on the Old Course, need to be purchased. To purchase, visit: 2024 Tickets
In June 2011 the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation was established as the official Foundation of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The Foundation is committed to developing young amateur golfers in Scotland and South Africa and also supports the University of St Andrews and the St Andrews Pilgrim Foundation, which refurbishes and preserves historical monuments in the town.
