£1.00 The Links Times Daily News & Order of Play Round 1 Thursday 5 October, 2017 Tyrrell targets Rory: I’m here to win historic double After three runner-up finishes at St Andrews and with his father once again by Tyrrell Hatton begins the defence his side, McIlroy believes this is his year to win the Alfred Dunhill Links of his title on the Old Course at 11.12 today hoping to become Rory McIlroy tees off this morning at McIlroy, who will once again be Crowd favourite McIlroy believes the first to win back-to-back St Andrews hoping this will be the playing with his father Gerry in the he’s coming into the tournament in Alfred Dunhill Championships. year he finally wins the Alfred Dunhill Team Championship, added: “The good form. He said: “It’s the best I’ve Last year he shot a record 62, and Links Championship. Alfred Dunhill Links is a great, late played all year, good thing it’s at the will be hoping for the same again. The Northern Ireland golfer, season event and I really enjoy the end of the season. But it will be great Read more, pages 4-5. currently World No.6, finished runner- format. The support I’ve had from to play a few rounds with my dad. up in 2009, 2011 and 2014 and says: the Scottish and visiting fans has “It’s a relaxed atmosphere and a “Perhaps this is the year I can go one always been fantastic. very social week. Hopefully I’ll end better and end my season on a high.” “I have had some wonderful the year on a positive note.” The four-time Major champion memories on these courses. I won And he promised to share tips with has had a close relationship with the my European Tour card after the his father on the greens, adding: “I’ll Championship. In 2007, at 18, he 2007 Championship and I’ve played read some putts for him but that’s became the youngest player to earn with my Dad a couple of times since about it. He has his own caddie and a European Tour card from tourna- – always very special experiences I have mine and we don’t get in each ment play when he finished third. and times I’ll never forget.” other’s way.” @dunhilllinks @alfreddunhilllinks Getty Images and Ian McIlgorm Photographs courtesy of Three amigos play it for laughs on the Old Course Jamie Dornan, Matthew Goode and Brian O'Driscoll share a joke on the Swilken Bridge at St Andrews The wind whipping across the Old thrilling to be that close to Tyrrell Course carried the laughter of Jamie winning the first of hopefully many Dornan, Matthew Goode and Brian events,” added Dornan. “It’d be great O’Driscoll as they enjoyed a light- to be in that position again." hearted practice round. All three Downton Abbey actor Matthew have made the cut before at the Goode is looking forward to teeing it Alfred Dunhill Links Championship - up with former Ryder Cup player and a laid-back practice round over David Howell in the Team Champi- the Old Course put them in good onship. “I’ve been a long-time fan of shape for the tournament. 'The Howler' through the Ryder Cup “I felt good today, I hit it much and he is a very good pundit as well. better than I usually do,” said Fifty Hopefully I won’t get in his way. Shades of Grey star Dornan. “It’s “Most of my memories of Dunhill great to be back. I shouldn’t have are of good shots and bad shots, been able to play, but a movie I was then talking it out with the most filming in Dublin was postponed, so amazing array of people from busi- that freed me up to be here." ness, sport and arts.” Dornan made the cut with pro Rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll is partner Tyrrell Hatton last year and eager to make the cut for a second watched at close quarters as the time. “You’re not here to walk young Englishman claimed victory. around for five hours. You really “It felt absolutely terrifying and that I want to make the cut and have a shouldn’t be there – but it was very laugh in the process.” Singer pals Brian Top Tweets and Ronan back on centre stage After narrowly missing the cut last year, Westlife star hopes to follow his friend to the top of the leaderboard Singer Brian McFadden is looking what you think you can do, it all forward to spending time with his flies out of the window. friend and former manager Ronan “Last year was the perfect start – Keating this week – but the Westlife teeing off first at St Andrews, and not star claims his focus is on winning just to have my good friend Robert the Team Championship. beside me but Ronan, too. Ronan McFadden made his debut at the managed Westlife in 1998, so we’ve Alfred Dunhill Links Championship been close friends for a long time. last year and teed off with his friend “There was great banter going on and professional partner Robert Rock, in that fourball, though I’m not sure Boyzone frontman Keating and Peter knew what was going on!” Peter Hanson. McFadden and Rock shot nine- Rock and McFadden will team up under in the opening round at the again this year and tee off at Car- Old Course, but the wheels came off noustie at 9:55 am. The Irishman – their challenge at Carnoustie. who plays off a handicap of 12 – The singer went on to reveal: “All insists his target is to improve on of a sudden we were three or four 2016, when he missed the cut. over after nine holes and I was think- McFadden said: “I’m competitive, ing ‘I don’t want to come last’. We I want to win. As soon as you stand were lucky to finish one-over at on that first tee, it doesn’t matter Carnoustie. how much you have practised or “In the end, we finished 20-under Dad Tommy hopes to top off great year After two European Tour wins, a charge up the rankings and a new baby, Tommy Fleetwood’s year has been pretty good – but a win at his favourite course would cap it off perfectly. The 26-year-old took six weeks away from his sport and spent five days in hospital with fiancée Clare around the arrival of their son Franklin. And although the Englishman expects some aspects off his game to be a little unpredictable, he can’t wait to start a tournament in which he’s found form in the past. in the Team Championship and He said: “It feels like you were on the cut line but there were haven't played for a year when four teams on that and we lost on you come back. Distance control the countback. might be a little bit out. You “It was a tough night. Rocky and know, I feel fine, my preparation me just sat on the balcony of our the last two days has been good. apartment just above the 18th at St “I always enjoy this tournament, Andrews and stared out. and yeah, I think there’s always a “Seeing how Danny Willett and bit more expectation on this caddie Jonathan Smart played last event because I've played well in year to win The Masters made me the past. I love the course of St realise how high the standard is. Andrews. It's my favourite but For us, it’s like winning a Major. My that might have evened itself out goal is to make the cut and be there after six weeks off.” on Sunday.” He’ll tee off today with Keating - who tees off today at American amateur Ogden Phipps 11:23 at the Old Course with partner at St Andrews where he previ- Lee Westwood in this year's Team ously carded impressive rounds Championship - also has fond of 62 and 63. memories of last year’s memorable The World No.14 insists he has fourball with McFadden. always been confident of his ability He said: “I love playing golf with especially after victories in Dubai Brian. He’s as passionate about the in January and the French Open. game as I am. He is a great golfer and Fleetwood said: “This year has I loved playing with him. It's always been an accumulation of a lot of incredibly intimidating playing with things and some bold decisions big-name pros, so going round with that paid off. Getting into the top a mate really helps.” 50 after my win at the beginning The Boyzone star’s finest moment of the year naturally gives you a came in 2008 when he saw his step up and once you are able to name at the top of the leaderboard play in the big tournaments after day two at St Andrews. He things can progress quickly. I also smiles: “It would be nice to repeat it. loved the challenge, I was ready It’s the only year I’ve made the cut.” for it.” St Andrews is ‘pinnacle’ for brave Marine Golf has given Ian Bishop a new focus after he lost both legs serving as a Royal Marine, and he believes for an amateur player the Alfred Dunhill Links is as big as it gets. The corporal’s world changed forever when he stepped on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2009.