Rory McIlroy and father Gerry commit to Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

Rory McIlroy and his father Gerry will tee it up in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in September, a tournament they almost won together in 2019.

Team McIlroy lost on countback to Tommy Fleetwood and Ogden Phipps on 39-under-par in the popular event in Scotland three years ago. The four-time major champion has had a close relationship with the championship for a number of years.

15 years ago, the Northern Irishman became the youngest player to earn a DP World Tour card, then the European Tour, from tournament play when he finished third at the age of 18.

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship will be held from September 29 to October 2 at the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. The event incorporates an individual professional tournament and a Team Championship.

In 2011, the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation was established as the official foundation of the championship. The total prize purse for the event is $5 million and it is a tournament that McIlroy admits helped to change his life.

"I’m really looking forward to playing. It’s one of the most long-standing events on the DP World Tour and one I really enjoy, especially when I partner with my Dad.”

"I’ll be taking the Team Championship just as seriously as the professional event and it would be a special experience if we could win together.

"The support I’ve had from the Scottish and visiting fans has always been fantastic and I have had some wonderful memories on these courses. St Andrews is a very special place for me. When I got my Tour card there back in 2007, it was a week that changed my life."

McIlroy certainly has unfinished business with the Old Course in 2022. It felt as if he was destined to win The 150th Open Championship last month, but he was overtaken by the mightily impressive Cameron Smith in the final round.