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Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Tips & Preview - 4 contenders for victory

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Last updated: 27 Sep 2022
Freetips staff 27 Sep 2022
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  • The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship takes place between 29-2 October
  • The tournament takes place at the Old Course St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns
  • Danny Willett is the defending champion
  • 9 of the world's top 50 golfers are in the field
  • Our 4 selections who could win on Sunday
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danny willett alfred dunhill
Danny Willett is the reigning Alfred Dunhill Links Championship winner (Getty Images)

The players head back to St Andrews for the second time this year to contest the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Who will win the latest round of the DP World Tour? 

Danny Willett returns to defend his title after his triumph in 2021. 

The first three days will be played over three courses, the Old Course St Andrews, the Championship Course Carnoustie and Kingsbarns Golf Links, with the final round over the Old Course on Sunday. 

Past and present major winners that will tee on Thursday include Matt Fitzpatrick, Rory McIlroy, Geoff Ogilvy, Louis Oosthuizen, Patrick Reed and Danny Willett.

These are our four selections that could win this weekend. 

Rory Mcllroy


Rory McIlroy remains on the DP World Tour and will aim to lift the trophy at this event for the first time in his career. 

McIlroy has claimed two titles in 2022, winning the RBC Canadian Open and the Tour Championship.

The Northern Irishman has had multiple top finishes throughout the year, including 3rd at the Dubai Desert Classic, runner-up at the Masters, 5th at the Wells Fargo Championship, 8th at the PGA Championship, T5 at the US Open, 3rd at the Open Championship, T8 at the BMW Championship, T2 at the BMW PGA Championship and 4th at the recent Italian open. 

The world number two ranked golfer has an excellent record at this event, finishing runner-up on three occasions in 2009, 2011, and 2014. 

McIlroy comes into this year's edition in sublime form and will fancy his chances to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Will this be his year when he finally wins this tournament? 

Tyrrell Hatton


Tyrrell Hatton had a tremendous start to his year and has shown in his last few starts that he is returning to form.

Hatton placed T6 at the Abu Dhabi Championship, T4 at the Dubai Desert Classic, T28 at the Saudi International, T2 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, T13 at the Players Championship, T21 at the Valspar Championship and T9 WGC Dell Technologies World Match Play.

His form was inconsistent in his subsequent tournaments, finishing 52nd at the Masters, T26 at the RBC Heritage, T21 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, T37 at the Wells Fargo Championship, T13 at the PGA Championship and MC Irish Open.

Hatton was solid on the links courses, however, placing T24 at the Genesis Scottish Open and T11 at the 150th Open Championship.

The 30-year-old has maintained his level of play since, finishing T8 at Wyndham Championship, T31 at the FedEx St Jude Championship, T23 at the BMW Championship, T57 at the BMW PGA Championship and 8th at the recent Italian Open.

His last five starts at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship have been superb, winning back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017, placing T3 in 2018, T15 in 2019 and T2 last year.

Hatton's record at this event speaks volumes and has decent form, giving him a chance to lift the trophy for the third time come Sunday.

Tommy Fleetwood


Tommy Fleetwood has had a consistent year, producing multiple top ten finishes, and has looked good on the links courses.

Fleetwood produced solid performances in his first seven tournaments, placing T48, T12 at the Dubai Desert Classic, T8 at the Saudi International, MC, T20 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, T22 at the Players Championship, and T16 at the Valspar Championship.

The Englishman's form became erratic in his subsequent ten tournaments, finishing T35, T14 at the Masters, T10 at the RBC Heritage, MC, T59, T5 at the PGA Championship, T35, T10 at the Porsche European Open, MC, and T46 at the Travelers Championship.

Fleetwood produced his best results for 2022 on the links courses, placing T4 at the Scottish Open and T4 at the 150th Open Championship. He then finished T57 at the recent BMW PGA Championship.

The 31-year-old has an outstanding record at this DP World Tour tournament, placing T5, T55, 5th, T2, T13, T15, T25, T2, T5, and T7 in 2021.

Fleetwood has every chance to go all the way and win this weekend in Scotland as he loves playing at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. 

Rasmus Hojgaard


Rasmus Hojgaard would have been disappointed that he could not close out to win the Open De France last weekend after having such a commanding lead after two rounds, although he did achieve his best result for the year with his runner-up finish.

Before that, the young Dane finished T20 at the Abu Dhabi Championship, T47, T42, and T30 at the Ras al Khaimah Classic.

He played well in his following six tournaments, placing 6th at the Corales Puntacana Championship, T18 at the Valero Texas Open, T69, T42, T16 at the Catalunya Championship and T10 at the Dutch Open.

Hojgaard lost his way after that top ten finish, finishing T51, MC, T36, and MC before producing an excellent T10 result on the links course of the Scottish Open.

His subsequent five events have been decent enough, finishing T48, MC, T22 at the Made in Himmerland, T18 at the BMW PGA Championship and T27 at the Italian Open.

The 21-year-old is making his debut at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Hojgaard is the worthy long-shot pick as he was in great touch in his last tournament and showed his ability on the links course at the Scottish Open. 

Verdict

McIlroy is the in-form player and can challenge to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship for the first time in his career come Sunday.

Hatton has been thereabouts recently and has the game to win this tournament again.

Fleetwood brings excellent links form with him and has been runner-up at this event twice.

Hojgaard has won three times on the DP World Tour and could cause an upset at St Andrews this weekend.

Best Bet: Rory McIlroy Each-Way @9/2 at bet365 - 1 Unit
Value Bet: Tyrrell Hatton Each-Way @16/1 at bet365 - 1 Unit
Value Bet: Tommy Fleetwood Each-Way @20/1 at bet365 - 1 Unit
Value Bet: Rasmus Hojgaard Each-Way @45/1 at Betfred - 1 Unit
Rory McIlroy
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Tyrrell Hatton
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Tommy Fleetwood
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Rasmus Hojgaard
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