Ahead of the annual pairing of amateurs with pros at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, we look at three of the amateurs you should be keeping an eye on in Scotland.
Michael Ballack
Handicap: 10
There’s not much Michael Ballack didn’t achieve during a footballing career that spanned an impressive 17 years. It seems the versatile German midfielder has now taken to adding golf trophies to his already respectable cabinet after winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Pro-Am last year.
Paired with countryman Florian Fritsch, the duo finished top of the team competition at 40 under par, one shot clear of Englishman Chris Wood and his playing partner Mark Madden.
This year the former German International, who also won Premier League and Bundesliga titles with Chelsea and Bayern Munich respectively, will play alongside Sweden’s Niclas Fasth. Expect another strong display from the man nicknamed ‘Little Kaiser’ when he tees off at 0933 tomorrow morning at St Andrews.
Jamie Dornan
Handicap: 10
Perhaps best known for his role in the hit film 50 Shades of Grey, Jamie Dornan is more fondly remembered in golfing circles for his wonderful finish to the first round at last year’s event.
The Northern Irishman, who also stars in the television drama The Fall, eagled the par four 18th hole at St Andrews, much to his own surprise.
An excellent drive down the famous final hole rested just short of the vast green. Taking out his putter, Dornan judged his second shot to perfection, watching it track into the hole before dropping his club in shock. Although he didn’t make the cut alongside Peter Uihlein last year, there’ll be plenty waiting to see if he can pull off another extraordinary shot once more.
Jonathan Smart
Handicap: 4
Don’t be surprised if you fail to recognise Danny Willett’s playing partner without a golf bag on his shoulder this week. That’s because Jonathan Smart will be swapping the Masters champions’ clubs for his own.
Smart was on the bag for Willett as he triumphed at Augusta National earlier this year, the Yorkshireman’s first Major Championship. Rather prophetically, Smart wore the number 89 on his boiler suit that week, the same number worn by Jack Nicklaus’ son when he caddied for the Golden Bear during his win in 1986.
It’s all change for Smart this week, though, as he accompanies Willett around St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie with his own bag aiming to win the famed Pro-Am competition. With a handicap of four, it’ll be no surprise if Smart is pulling off shots to the admiration of a certain playing partner.
