How do you be in three places at once?
That’s the annual challenge for the golf writers as we head to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship for one of the most unique and enjoyable events on the European Tour, which is held across St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie.
The format is slightly different to the regular European Tour set up with two events running concurrently. The usual 72-hole stroke-play event is accompanied by a pro-am competition with the professionals partnering up with a mixture of actors, retired sportsmen, wealthy businessmen and other well-known faces.
Sir Steve Redgrave, Brian O’Driscoll, Ruud Gullit, Michael Ballack, Johan Cruyff, Alessandro Del Piero and Hugh Grant are among those teeing it up alongside the European Tour’s finest.
Admission for the first three days is free of charge with the spectators enjoying the rare treat of watching some top class golf as well as the sight of a famous face hacking his way down the fairway in a desperate bid to make a par.
It’s always good fun and the tournament has a habit of throwing up great stories – none more so than the surprise success of Oliver Wilson, last year’s shock winner.
The Englishman was number 792 in the world rankings when he pipped then number one Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Aberdeen’s very own Richie Ramsay by a shot to claim the first prize of almost £500,000.
Wilson had played in the 2008 Ryder Cup but lost his card three years later following a sudden loss of form.
He dropped down to the Challenge Tour but the struggles continued with Wilson hitting a driver off the deck rather than tee it up for two years in a bid to keep his ball in play.
His victory at St Andrews last year was a golfing fairytale that no one would have predicted.
We are approaching the business end of the season where cards can be won and lost and invites into the lucrative end of year tournaments can be earned.
The Dunhill Links is a great week to find some form.
After losing his card in 2010, Marc Warren made the most of a sponsor’s invite by finishing tied fifth at the 2011 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship to regain his place on the European Tour.
The Rutherglen golfer is now the top ranked Scottish golfer in the world at No. 56 but he still credits that gritty display five years ago as the best he has played under immense pressure, knowing his livelihood was at stake.
Eleven of the previous 14 winners have come from Britain and Ireland and hopes are high of another local winner.
Disappointingly, Aberdeen’s Richie Ramsay who finished tied second last year has been forced to withdraw from the event because of an eye injury.
But there are eight Scots in the field bidding to follow in the footsteps of the three previous home winners, namely Colin Montgomerie (2005), Stephen Gallacher (2004) and Paul Lawrie (2001).
A sunny forecast has been predicted for the coming days and with entry free it’s well worth heading down to one of the three courses to take in some of the action.
My five to watch
Brooks Koepka
Shane Lowry
Enjoyed his biggest success to date by winning the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in August. The Irishman loves the links and finished tied sixth last year.
Paul Lawrie
David Howell
The 2013 champion normally does well on Scottish soil. Finished third at the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play and tied 10th at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Gullane earlier this year.
Danny Willett
Missed the cut last year but showed he is capable of taming the Old Course at this year’s Open. Followed up his tied 6th placing at The Open by winning the Omega European Masters and finishing third at the Italian Open. Eddie Pepperell and Tommy Fleetwood are two other young Englishmen capable of doing well this week.