Don't take Scotland's Dunhill Links and 41-year association for granted

It started, of course, with the much-loved Dunhill Cup and, yes, you understand why some people would prefer if that team format was still in place, especially when you think back to Andrew Coltart, Colin Montgomerie and Sam Torrance pulling off a memorable Scottish success in 1995.

For totally different reasons, a shock defeat for Scotland, represented on that occasion by Montgomerie, Torrance and Gordon Brand jnr, at the hands of Paraguay in 1993 under that medal match-play system also lingers in the Dunhill Cup memory bank.

It was in 2001 when the tournament organisers decided to try something different, with this week’s edition being the 25th staging of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews.

I totally get that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, especially due to the fact that rounds on all three courses take forever and also because - sorry - amateurs are involved. I was one of those people at the start and slow play still bugs me more than anything else in golf.

The reason I actually look forward to Dunhill Links week now, though, is partly because it is a bit different to the weekly grind, so to speak, but, even more so, because it is important to Scotland.

In case you missed it, the LPGA is dropping the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open - or so it seems, anyway - from its schedule next year, which is both baffling and disappointing. Since 2017, it has been held through a co-sanctioning between the LPGA and LET and, over the last five years at Dundonald Links in particular, it has been a cracking tournament.

Mirroring the men’s game with the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open, it allowed some of the world’s top players to prepare on a links course for the AIG Women’s the following week, with world No 1 Nelly Korda, Charley Hull and Lottie Woad all teeing up in Ayrshire in the latest edition.

The LPGA has let down its members with this one and let down Scotland as well, with the PIF London Championship, which definitely won’t be held on a links layout, reportedly taking over the coveted pre-AIG Women’s Open slot next year.

It’s pleasing to hear that a future is being promised for the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open through it remaining on the LET schedule, though it is unlikely to pack a punch if no big-name players are involved and, by all accounts, a new date is unlikely to prove ideal, especially next year.

LPGA dropping Wmen’s Scottish Open is ‘timely reminder’

It’s a timely reminder that the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship should never be taken for granted, and hats off to Johann Rupert, the chairman of Richemont, Alfred Dunhill’s parent company and the event’s chairman as well, for continuing to serve up a $5 million tournament in this country.

Just ask Paul Lawrie what it meant to him to win the inaugural event 25 years ago and Stephen Gallacher and Montgomerie as well after they emulated the fear in 2004 and 2005 respectively. Oh, and let’s not forget Bob MacIntyre, of course, following his triumph 12 months ago. Tasting success at St Andrews, where the final round is played, is arguably the most special thing in golf and it’s even more special for someone experiencing it on home soil.

In a world where nothing seems cheap any more - apologies if that makes me sound like a grumpy old man - admission on the opening three days of this event is actually free and no wonder fans flock to the three venues, particularly the one where the star attractions are playing, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

For a number of reasons, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship has always attracted an eye-catching field, with this week’s edition being no different and part of the focus will be on a group that includes Cameron Smith, Bubba Watson, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.

All teeing up through invitations, they have been playing their golf in recent seasons on LIV Golf, though, as Smith, who, of course, is returning to St Andrews, scene of his win in the 150th Open in 2022, acknowledged in an interview over the weekend, it remains to be seen if that will continue to be the case going forward as we wait to see what LIV 2.0 has to offer.

There can be absolutely no denying that both Westwood and Poulter made themselves unpopular with lots of people by joining the rebel circuit, but, as was the case when Westwood played in last year’s Open Final Qualifier at Dundonald Links and showed what he is still capable of by winning that day, they will be treated with respect by Scottish fans this week and rightly so.

Add in the likes of five-time major winner Brooks Koepka, world No 4 and newly-crowned FedEx Open de France champion Matthew Fitzpatrick and three-time Dunhill Links winner Tyrrell Hatton, as well as the likes of Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and, of course, defending champion MacIntyre and it’s another tasty autumn treat on Scottish soil.

As has often been the case, it’s a week that offers the home contingent a golden opportunity to pick up a meaningful cheque, with David Law, Euan Walker, Cameron Adam and Daniel Young all heading into this week’s tournament battling furiously to hang on to their DP World Tour cards for next season.

Scotland stages some great golf events and here’s hoping that a special week lies ahead to mark a notable milestone for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, with glasses being raised in the Jigger Inn and other local hostelries in celebration.