Rory McIlroy to face 11 LIV Golf rebels at Dunhill Links in St Andrews

It will be something of a bittersweet week for Rory McIlroy when he rocks up at St Andrews at the end of the month in what will be his third DP World Tour appearance in the space of four weeks. 

While it will of course be special to play at the Home of Golf alongside his father Gerry in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, something he has not done since 2019, McIlroy returns to the scene of his near-miss behind Cameron Smith at the 150th Open Championship just two months ago. 

More: Cam Smith caught laughing at Rory McIlroy in LIV Golf practice round

To rub salt into the wounds, a number of LIV Golf players will also be joining him in the famous pro-am tournament staged at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. 

McIlroy quite simply cannot stand the players that have switched allegiance from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Tour. 

Only just two weeks ago prior to the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, the Northern Irishman had this to say about them: 

"I hate what it's [LIV Golf] doing to the game of golf. I hate it. I really do. Like it's going to be hard for me to stomach going to Wentworth in a couple of weeks' time and seeing 18 of them there. That just doesn't sit right with me." 

That number was eventually whittled down to 17 as Martin Kaymer withdrew from the tournament due to feeling "not welcome".

And then after the first round, it was down to 16 as Sergio Garcia did a runner (and potentially now faces a hefty fine by the DP World Tour). 

The good news for McIlroy this time around in Scotland is that there will only be 12 LIV Golf players in action.

Well, it's actually 11 if you take out Adrian Otaegui who got axed from the LIV Golf Chicago tournament. 

McIlroy also reiterated this week at the Italian Open that he does not want any of the LIV Golf players competing in the Ryder Cup.

Patrick Reed was due to compete in the tournament but he has since withdrawn due sustaining a back injury from a soft mattress. 

Here's a look at the 12 LIV Golf players who have confirmed their participation at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship from September 29 to October 2: 

• Abraham Ancer
• Louis Oosthuizen
• Talor Gooch
• Jediah Morgan
• Shaun Norris
• Richard Bland
• Branden Grace
• Peter Uihlein
• Laurie Canter
• Charl Schwartzel
• Adrian Otaegui

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ENTRY LIST

McIlroy is bidding to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship for the first time in his career but he has certainly come close to winning the event a number of times down the years. 

Despite his disappointment at finishing third in the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews behind now LIV Golf player Cameron Smith in July, McIlroy has bounced back in style by landing a record third FedEx Cup title. 

He also finished tied second at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last week, and at the time of publication is in contention for the Italian Open in his tournament debut on the 2023 Ryder Cup course at Marco Simone in Rome. 

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