An internet auction offering an amateur golfer the opportunity of a lifetime to play in this autumn’s Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns has attracted interest from many parts of the world.

So far the top bid for the chance to join many of the game’s leading professionals—and a glittering array of sport and film celebrities —in the £5 million tournament is £9050.

Since the launch of the auction, which runs until September 2, the website has had almost 2000 hits.

As in previous years all the proceeds from the auction go to the St Andrews Pilgrim Foundation.

The championship takes place from September 29 until October 2 over the Old Course at St Andrews, the championship course at Carnoustie and Kingsbarns links.

The online auction offers amateur golfers throughout the world a rare opportunity to play in the tournament, and the winning bidder will be treated to the best of Dunhill’s hospitality.

The package includes one amateur spot in the championship, five nights’ accommodation at an official tournament hotel with breakfast included, chauffeur driven airport transfers from Edinburgh, and invitations to the championship’s exclusive social events.

A similar auction last year raised £17,600, the successful bid coming from London-based William Dewsall, chairman of Golf Management International.

The Pilgrim Foundation is committed to the restoration of historic monuments and buildings in St Andrews.

Its president is the former secretary and past captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, St Andrews, Sir Michael Bonallack.

Among its patrons are Sir Sean Connery, Colin Montgomerie, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Arnold Palmer, Sam Torrance, Tony Jacklin and television commentator Peter Alliss.