Professionals and celebrities cross paths this week at the Alfred Dunhill Links Chamionship, with movie stars, entrepreneurs and other sportsmen trying their hand over the three courses. Europeantour.com picks out three notable amateurs to keep an eye on this week in Scotland.
Wladimir Klitschko
Handicap: 12
At 6ft 6inches and still modelling the physique of his boxing heyday, there will be no mistaking Wladimir Klitschko on the Scottish Links courses this week. The two-time world heavyweight champion has strength in abundance and might use it to good effect in overpowering his fellow amateurs off the tee.
While the Ukrainian is more used to the confines of a boxing ring, do not be surprised if he looks at home out on the course. He appeared in this event alongside former Ryder Cup man Søren Hansen in 2008, so will know what to expect from the week ahead.
AP McCoy
Handicap: 9
It’s not just jockeying that AP McCoy excels in, as the last couple of years at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship have shown. The Northern Irishman has pulled off some of the finest amateur shots seen in the tournament, including one of the shots of the week at Carnoustie’s fifth hole last year to within two feet.
McCoy always seems to inspire his playing partner Graeme McDowell, who has two top 20 appearances in his last two appearances alongside McCoy. Although they have yet to win the team competition, this year could prove to be the duo’s high point.
Kevin Pietersen
Handicap: 5
Kevin Pietersen is accustomed to teeing it up in the company of some of the game’s greats, having appeared not only in two previous editions of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championships, but the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am too.
Pietersen may be yet to reach the final round at St Andrews, but there’s no denying the former England cricketer’s competitive edge. His playing partner for the week is Callum Shinkwin, who finished runner-up in his last visit to Scotland at this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. Together they could be a pairing to look out for.
