Staff WriterThe 2025 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship has been cut to 54 holes after Saturday’s play was blown away—quite literally—by ferocious winds sweeping across St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.
What began as a hopeful restart after Friday’s suspension ended in white flags and flying umbrellas as gusts reached a brutal 56mph.
The second round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship managed to wrap up on Saturday morning after Storm Amy left the courses unplayable the previous day. Officials then attempted to get the third round underway at 12:30, but by 12:50 the weather had other ideas.
With balls rolling off greens and scoreboards creaking like old ships, play was swiftly suspended and later abandoned for the day.
Mikael Eriksson, Tournament Director of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, explained the decision to reduce the event: “Following consultation with IMG, Alfred Dunhill and the DP World Tour, the decision has been made to reduce this year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship to 54 holes.
“We attempted to begin the third round this afternoon, but shortly after play started wind gusts of 56mph were recorded which resulted in play being suspended. Conditions for the remainder of the day gave us no option but to cancel the third round, which will start afresh on Sunday morning.”
It’s not the first time Scotland’s weather has reminded the world who really owns the Old Course. Links golf may have been born in the wind, but there’s a fine line between a stiff breeze and a full-blown hurricane.
With Storm Amy barging through the East Neuk, tournament officials had little choice but to adapt.
The final round will now be played on Sunday, with a two-tee start across all three courses between 09:00 and 11:23.
Whether the wind behaves remains to be seen, but the shortened format adds a new layer of intrigue as the Alfred Dunhill Links heads into what promises to be a frenetic final day.
