The Vamps singer and lead guitarist Brad Simpson has been confirmed as the latest star to sign up to play in this year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Tayside and Fife.
The 24-year-old heartthrob, from Sutton Coldfield near Birmingham, will be playing in the event for the first time, although he is a keen golfer and plays at The Belfry when he is not touring.
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a celebration of links golf at its finest, takes place over three of the greatest and most historic courses in the world, the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, from September 26 to 29.
It incorporates two separate competitions – an individual professional tournament for the world’s leading golfers and the Team Championship, in which the pros are paired with amateur players, creating a unique atmosphere and camaraderie.
Brad said: “This is going to be a very special experience, not just playing in a massive international event with the galleries watching everything I do, but playing on courses like Carnoustie and the Old Course, where they practically invented the game.
“I’m not sure how it’s going to compare to going on stage at a live concert, but I’m looking forward to finding out.”
Dave Farrell, from Linkin Park, and Mike Rutherford, driving force of Genesis and Mike and the Mechanics, have also confirmed their appearances, joining other entertainment icons in the field including multi-talented actor and musician Justin Timberlake, singer-songwriter Ronan Keating, Brian McFadden, former lead singer of Westlife, and hugely popular US legend Huey Lewis.
In addition to the great musicians who will be aiming to hit the high notes on the fairways, other amateurs confirmed include sporting greats like Sir Steve Redgrave, Wladimir Klitschko, Kevin Pietersen, Shane Warne, Luis Figo, Ruud Gullit, Vinnie Jones, Jamie Redknapp, Andriy Shevchenko and Sir Anthony (AP) McCoy, plus Hollywood actor Greg Kinnear and TV celebrities Piers Morgan and Peter Jones from Dragons Den.
The amateurs will be pairing up with the strongest ever professional field in the history of the Alfred Dunhill Links, led by three of the world’s top ten – Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Jon Rahm – and supported by Open champion Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, runner-up at Portrush, and US Ryder Cup player Tony Finau, current World No 12.
Other major champions in the line-up are Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell and Trevor Immelman.
Also in the field are two-time winner Tyrrell Hatton, Lee Westwood, winner in 2003, who showed what a rich vein of form he is in when he finished fourth in The Open at Portrush, former winner Branden Grace and ever popular Luke Donald.
Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard will be back to defend the professional title, along with Chinese star Li Haotong, winner of the Team Championship last year with WeChat inventor Allen Zhang.
Admission is free for all spectators over the first three days with final day tickets on Sunday, September 29 available to purchase at the entrance gates for £20 (Concessions £15).
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