Alfred Dunhill Links Championship play cancelled after Storm Amy havoc | Golf | Sport
Play on day three at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship has been cancelled due to Storm Amy, with Robert MacIntyre holding a share of the clubhouse lead. The 29-year-old faced brutal conditions on the Friday but performed admirably with seven birdies secured.
The weather conditions have been particularly bad, and with that in mind, the decision was made this morning to halt play due to high 60mph winds. The entire 164-player field – and same number of pro-am competitors including Andy Murray – were all out on the three courses on Saturday morning after a rare shotgun start but were taken off when play was suspended after just twenty minutes with balls moving on the greens.
Tournament organisers confirmed later on Saturday afternoon that the day’s play was now being abandoned. A statement read: “All golf played over the three courses on Saturday, 4 October has been cancelled. The third round will be played on Sunday, 5 October as a two-tee start, over all three courses between 09:00 – 11.23.”
The tournament, played across three courses at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, has arrived one week on from the 2025 Ryder Cup where Europe secured an incredible 15-13 victory of Team USA with MacIntyre starring.
Scotland’s leading golfer certainly got the better of elements on opening day with South Africa’s Richard Sterne joining MacIntyre in also impressing as he claimed a share of the clubhouse lead at 12 under par. MacIntyre spoke about conditions at the close of play “It was almost a perfect round of golf, especially once the weather came in, just a lovely round,” said MacIntyre.
“It’s difficult when it gets this windy. It’s hard to hit the ball good with the wind. I was having to try and fight the wind on certain holes and wasn’t comfortable. But I made some beautiful shots. Yeah, putted solidly in the wind.”
Organisers have since confirmed that no play will take place on Saturday in a statement posted to X. “Tournament update. All Golf played over the three course on Saturday October 4 has been cancelled, their update read. “The third round will be played on Sunday 5 October as a two-tee start over all three courses between 09:00-11:23.”
The likes of Gareth Bale and Andy Murray were due to partake but that will no longer happen today.
The tournament sees amatuers paired with pros and the former has already competed but Murray is making his professional debut and is paired with world number 547 Eddie Pepperell.
They are currently nine shots off the lead after the former Tennis star hit three birdies. Despite that, he has gone somewhat viral after shanking an attempted chip out of the bunker, with the Scotsman left to laugh and place his hands on his knees.
Bale is due to tee off later today, but that will no longer be the case. Other big names in action, especially after the last week at Bethpage, include Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, and Tyrell Hatton.
The latter is the defending champion and was on course to remain level with MacIntyre, but conditions got the better of him, and he is now four shots behind the leaders. Just ahead of him is fellow European teammate Fitzpatrick after he shot a 69 to follow his 67. Fleetwood, meanwhile, is level with Hatton on seven under par.
