Magical memories for Padraig Harrington and Tyrrell Hatton in Dunhill Links

Step forward Padraig Harrington, who teed up in the inaugural event in 2001, landed the title the following year before repeating the feat five years later and is still going strong in the DP World Tour Pro-Am.

“Yeah, it's a nice record,” admitted the affable Irishman of being the only man to have competed in all 25 stagings at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews, with Stephen Gallacher, the 2004 winner, having been on course to do likewise until his run of unbroken appearances ended last year.

“I've always loved coming here,” added Harrington, who is making his latest outing at the age of 55. “It's been a no-brainer for me. Every year, I put it on the calendar for sure. It's one of the best weeks of the year. So, yeah, 25 years in a row, I'm proud of it. I wish I was a young guy and only playing my fifth year, but who knows, 25 and maybe a few more to follow.”

Only Tyrrell Hatton has fared better than Harrington when it comes to tasting success in this event. After claiming the crown for the first time in 2016, the Englishman then created history by becoming its first back-to-back winner the following year before adding a record third title triumph two years ago.

“Yeah, this tournament has been very good to me over the last ten years,” admitted Hatton, speaking in a pre-event press conference at St Andrews on Tuesday. “Just the relaxed nature of this week helps me out a little bit. Yeah, it's always special being back here at St Andrews, and Kingsbarns and Carnoustie are great as well.”

He said the first of his victories had probably been the most rewarding due to it being his maiden DP World Tour win. “To achieve that here was incredibly special,” admitted the 34-year-old with a smile. As was the case for his 2024 triumph, he is playing with his dad, Jeff, in the team competition this week.

“For me now, being able to play with my dad, that's really special,” noted Hatton, with Rory McIlroy, an absentee on this occasion, having done likewise in the past with his dad, Gerry, while Matthew Fitzpatrick joined forces with his mum, Susan, to claim the team honours three years ago.

‘There's not another week like this’

“There's not another week like this. It's a great week,” continued Hatton, speaking in a tone of sincerity. “You just hope that you get some decent weather to go with it. Last year we were pretty unlucky with the wind and the rain, but the forecast looks nice enough for this week for this time of the year.”

It’s a week when the amateurs enjoy themselves after a day out on the course and, unlike at most other events on the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour, the professionals, too. “I would say I enjoy myself off the golf course,” said Hatton with a glint in his eye. “Yes, it is a slightly more relaxed week because of the format and the golf course. Might be a slightly different week this week this time around because I have my wife and daughter here. In previous years, I might have snuck out for a beer or two and now it's changing nappies!”

Well beyond the nappy-changing stage are Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, two of Hatton’s fellow LIV Golf players over the past couple of years. Playing through sponsor’s invitations, the high-profile English duo are making their first DP World Tour appearances since 2023. It is Westwood’s first Dunhill Links outing since 2019 while Poulter hasn’t played in it since 2007, having finished third behind Gallacher three years earlier.

“Yeah, those guys have had amazing careers,” replied Hatton to being asked about the duo’s presence in the field. “It's good to see them playing this week. Obviously they have not played that much over the last four or five years for various reasons, but I think of what they have achieved and the amount of tournaments they have played on the DP World Tour.”

For Harrington, this week marks his 507th appearance on the circuit and, though more likely to be in the mix these days on the Champions Tour, it would be no huge surprise if the three-time major winner was there or thereabouts in Sunday’s closing circuit on the Old Course at St Andrews.

“Yeah, here at the home of golf and Alfred Dunhill does such a good job running this event,” he said. “Great week of golf. Obviously fun with the amateurs. Super golf courses. What's not to like? It's one of my favourites of the year for sure.

“I won in 2002 and 2006, so they are the top memories. It's very special to win a tournament at St Andrews coming down the 18th. I won the team event as well both those years, with my partner, JP McManus. Memories that will last a lifetime.

“It would be a big deal (a record-equalling third win). I'm at that age that to win a regular tournament would be something special. I think I'd be the oldest guy in Europe that won at this stage. It's a hard ask - it's not impossible. I think I tend to try a little too hard when I turn up to regular events.

“But maybe Dunhill is the right one for me in the sense of playing with an amateur will help me relax during the week, focus on different things and chill out and enjoy it more, and that might be what it takes for me to get the best out of my golf.”