The 2026 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship takes place across three of Scotland’s most celebrated links courses – St Andrews’ Old Course, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns – from October 1‑4.
Players rotate around all three venues over the opening 54 holes, before the top 60 and ties contest Sunday’s final round on the Old Course.
The $5 million DP World Tour event is a distinctive pro-am tournament with a 156-player professional field.
Each of the three courses is a par 72, but they present very different challenges – the Old Course rewards imagination and control, Carnoustie is the sternest all-round test and Kingsbarns offers more scoring opportunities.
Matt Fitzpatrick leads the latest market after his three-shot victory at the Open de France, followed by Tommy Fleetwood, defending champion Robert MacIntyre, Tyrrell Hatton, Alex Noren, Alex Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose.
Current 2026 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Odds
| Player | Betting Odds |
|---|---|
| Matt Fitzpatrick | 9.00 (9/1) |
| Tommy Fleetwood | 11.00 (11/1) |
| Robert MacIntyre | 13.00 (13/1) |
| Tyrrell Hatton | 13.00 (13/1) |
| Alex Noren | 15.00 (15/1) |
| Alex Fitzpatrick | 21.00 (21/1) |
| Justin Rose | 21.00 (21/1) |
Leading 2026 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Contenders
Matt Fitzpatrick
Matt Fitzpatrick heads the market as the player to beat after arriving in Scotland fresh from a three-shot victory at the Open de France.
Fitzpatrick has already won this event, producing three outstanding rounds at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews in a weather-shortened edition.
His controlled driving, precision iron play and ability to stay patient in difficult conditions make him a natural fit for a tournament requiring players to adapt to three different links tests.
If he maintains the form that brought victory in France, he will be exceptionally hard to keep off the first page of the leaderboard.
Tommy Fleetwood
Tommy Fleetwood is next and looks a compelling contender whenever the schedule turns to links golf.
His creativity, natural ability to flight the ball and experience on Scotland’s east coast should make him an excellent fit for the three-course format.
If the wind strengthens, his control and composure could become even more valuable, and a strong opening round at a scoring-friendly venue would give him a major platform for the weekend.
Robert MacIntyre
Robert MacIntyre returns as defending champion after winning last year’s weather-shortened 54-hole tournament by four shots.
The Scottish left-hander has genuine home-region appeal and a natural advantage on these links, with the ball flight, imagination and patience needed to make the most of firm turf and changeable winds.
If he recaptures the confidence he showed in 2025, he has every chance of becoming the first player to defend the title since Tyrrell Hatton.
Tyrrell Hatton
Tyrrell Hatton has an outstanding course record in this event, having won it three times.
Few players in the field have the same combination of proven St Andrews form, links creativity and comfort under difficult scoring conditions.
Hatton can be volatile, but this is one of the few tournaments where his game and temperament have repeatedly aligned.
If he establishes momentum early – particularly on the Old Course or Kingsbarns – he has the record and talent to mount another serious title challenge.
Alex Noren
Alex Noren sits next and arrives as one of the more consistent, technically secure players in the field.
His precise iron play and ability to work the ball both ways are major advantages in a format where every round presents a different links puzzle.
Noren may lack the raw power of some of the players above him, but power is not the deciding factor across these courses.
If conditions become testing and the field is forced to rely on course management, he has an excellent chance of making his way into the final-day mix.
Alex Fitzpatrick
Alex Fitzpatrick will be looking to capitalise on a week that also features his brother Matt at the top of the market.
His game has enough length and quality to create scoring chances at Kingsbarns and the Old Course, while the multi-course format rewards players capable of adjusting quickly.
Fitzpatrick represents a higher-upside option just outside the very front rank. If he finds a hot putting week and takes advantage of the more receptive scoring conditions, he could easily outperform his odds.
Justin Rose
Justin Rose rounds out the highlighted group and brings immense experience to an event that places as much value on strategy as shot-making.
He is one of the seven players in the field ranked inside the world top 50 and remains a high-class contender despite being a longer price than the front four.
Rose’s controlled ball-striking and ability to remain patient make him well suited to the Old Course, where positioning and imagination are often more valuable than sheer distance.
If the conditions favour experience and a disciplined approach, he odds could look a very competitive number.
James is an avid golfer and reviews golf equipment and new gear for GolfReviewsGuide.com as well as providing the latest golf news. You will find him on a golf course wherever possible.