The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship was a happening affair for the LIV Golf pros. Unlike the PGA Tour, where the breakaway circuit players are not allowed, a total of 13 golfers played at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship through different pathways. For one, Jon Rahm played the event despite his undue fines. The Spaniard had appealed the sanctions and was given the green light to participate in the event by the DP World Tour to secure his membership and Ryder Cup berth. The verdict on his fines is yet to be declared by the Wentworth bases circuit.
However, he stated that he didn’t have any intention of paying the fines and said, “I’m not a big fan of the fines… I don’t plan to pay the fines.” Nonetheless, the 2-time major winner played in the Open de Espana and was close to winning it as he lost in the playoff against Angel Hidalgo. Whereas at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the 29-year-old finished in a three-way tie at seventh. But who was the winner? Surprisingly, it was a LIV golfer and Rahm’s teammate, Tyrrell Hatton. With this victory, even Hatton has sort of confirmed his seat at the 2025 Ryder Cup in Bethpage, but nothing could be certain.
Another top LIV Golf pro who was in the top 10 of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship was one more Spaniard. No, not Sergio Garcia, but David Puig. The 22-year-old was T3 at the Spanish Open. Following this, he finished T4 at the Old Course in St. Andrews. The 5-time major champion, Brooks Koepka, was also headlining the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship field. The 2024 season outside of LIV Golf has been disappointing for Koepka, as he couldn’t gather any top finishes in the major championships. But at the Old Course, the 34-year-old posted 17 under 271 to be T10.
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via Reuters
Golf – The Masters – Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, U.S. – April 11, 2024 England’s Tyrrell Hatton reacts after missing a birdie putt on the 6th hole during the first round REUTERS/Mike Blake
Jon Rahm defies the fines and plays on! Is he the rebel golf needs?
Just one rank down, Koepka’s teammate Dean Burmester, finished T12, and Peter Uihlein was T19. Seemingly, it was a great start for many LIV golfers, as they could attain the OWGR points. However, things didn’t go as well for a few who failed to leave a mark at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
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LIV Golf pros whose luck didn’t strike at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
For instance, Branden Grace was one of the 13 from the disruptive league in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship field. The South African pro started great with a round of 67 on Thursday. However, after 68, 68, and 72 on Sunday, Grace went home with T35 on his scorecard. 1-time Masters winner, Patrick Reed, joined him there too. At least these two finished inside the top 40, but the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship wasn’t as amusing for many.
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Although early in the season, Talor Gooch claimed that Rory McIlroy’s possible Masters win would have an asterisk as LIV golfers wouldn’t be there, he missed out on the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 7 undercut. Gooch was not alone in that. Eugenio Chacarra, Louis Oosthuizen, Matt Jones, and Hudson Swafford also followed suit as they missed the cut.
As the LIV Golf’s 2024 season has ended, the pros may play the five remaining events of the DP World Tour through invitations, sponsor exemption, or other ways. By far, only Jon Rahm has confirmed his berth at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, others may follow his lead too.
