“14 LIV Golf stars, including a former Masters champion, are set to make their PGA TOUR return as tensions raise among them.” Who will make it?

The much-anticipated conclusion of the 2023 LIV Golf season is upon us, and with it, a wave of high-profile names from the controversial breakaway league are gearing up to make their return to traditional competition. As the Saudi-backed tour wraps up its final rounds this weekend, a total of 14 prominent LIV Golf stars are preparing to step back onto the DP World Tour in October, marking a significant moment for the golfing world. These notable figures are set to compete in the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, an event steeped in tradition and renowned for its unique Pro-Am format that attracts top-tier talent year after year.

 

Scheduled to take place across three of Scotland’s most iconic and historic courses—St Andrews, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarns—the Dunhill Links has long been a fixture on the DP World Tour calendar. This year’s edition promises to be no different, with a star-studded field that includes some of the biggest names in golf. Among those confirmed to compete are European Ryder Cup stalwarts Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, and Matt Fitzpatrick, all of whom will be teeing it up at the tournament in pursuit of further glory. However, what has truly set tongues wagging this time around is the addition of a group of returning LIV Golf players, whose presence is sure to add an extra layer of intrigue and drama to an already competitive event.

 

Leading the charge of LIV stars is none other than Jon Rahm, the former world No. 1 and one of the most recognizable figures in modern golf. Rahm’s return to the DP World Tour has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months, as the Spanish sensation faces a race against time to fulfill his membership requirements and retain his eligibility for future Ryder Cup selection. According to the DP World Tour’s stipulations, Rahm must compete in at least four events on the European circuit this year to remain in good standing—a feat that has proved challenging due to his participation in LIV events, which resulted in fines and suspensions. However, with the Spanish Open, Andalucia Masters, and now the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on his calendar, Rahm looks set to meet the necessary criteria and maintain his place on Team Europe for future Ryder Cups, quelling concerns that he might have been sidelined due to his LIV Golf affiliations.

 

Another notable name joining Rahm in Scotland is fellow LIV star Tyrrell Hatton, who, like his compatriot, is battling to retain his membership on the DP World Tour. Hatton, a key figure in the Legion XIII team alongside Rahm, has already played two events on the European circuit this year and will be making his third and fourth appearances at the Andalucia Masters and Dunhill Links. His presence in these events not only bolsters his eligibility for future tournaments but also ensures that Team Europe will be able to call upon his fiery competitive spirit when needed.

 

Meanwhile, five-time major champion Brooks Koepka is also set to return to familiar territory, having committed to competing in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last week. Koepka, captain of the Smash GC team and one of LIV Golf’s most high-profile signings, has long been an advocate of links golf, particularly at St Andrews. In fact, the 2023 event will mark Koepka’s return to the Old Course, a venue he has described as his favorite place to play in the world. “I’ve been fortunate to play in several Dunhill Links, as well as two Open Championships at St Andrews over the years, and these trips are always highlights to my year,” Koepka shared recently. “I love Links golf, and St Andrews is my favorite course in the world. I could play there every day for the rest of my life and never get tired of it.”

 

Koepka won’t be the only Smash GC representative at the event. Joining him will be his LIV teammate and the 2023 individual champion, Talor Gooch. Gooch, who claimed three victories on the LIV circuit this season, was initially slated to participate in the DP World Tour event last year but withdrew at the last minute. Now, with momentum on his side following his stellar performances in LIV, Gooch will be eager to make his mark on the Scottish links alongside some of the game’s elite players.

 

The list of LIV stars set to compete doesn’t stop there. Two former major champions—Patrick Reed, winner of the 2016 Masters, and Louis Oosthuizen, victor at the 2010 Open Championship at St Andrews—have also secured invites to the Dunhill Links. Both players bring a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of links golf, making them formidable opponents for anyone in the field. Reed, in particular, has been a divisive figure in the world of golf due to his outspoken personality and LIV allegiance, but his competitive edge is undeniable, and he will undoubtedly be a player to watch as the tournament unfolds.

 

Louis Oosthuizen’s return to the scene of his Open Championship triumph in 2010 is sure to stir emotions for the South African, who has a deep connection with St Andrews. Having lifted the Claret Jug on the Old Course, Oosthuizen has an intimate knowledge of the layout and will be hoping to channel some of that winning magic when he tees it up once again at the Home of Golf.

 

In addition to the aforementioned players, several other prominent LIV Golf competitors are set to make their presence felt at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Dean Burmester, Branden Grace, Pat Perez, Hudson Swafford, Matt Jones, Peter Uihlein, David Puig, and Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra round out the full list of LIV players who will be in action next month. Each of these individuals has experienced success on the LIV circuit, and their participation in the Dunhill Links adds another dimension to what is already shaping up to be a thrilling event.

 

For many fans and analysts, the return of these LIV stars to the DP World Tour represents a fascinating dynamic in the ongoing evolution of professional golf. The breakaway league has undoubtedly shaken up the traditional golfing landscape, and the integration—or in some cases, reintegration—of LIV players into established tournaments like the Dunhill Links is a testament to the shifting sands of the sport. As these stars step onto the hallowed turf of St Andrews and the surrounding courses, the stage is set for a compelling showdown between the established DP World Tour regulars and the LIV Golf disruptors.

 

This year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship promises to be a spectacle like no other, with the unique Pro-Am format providing fans with the chance to see their favorite stars up close in a more relaxed setting while still delivering world-class golf. With the convergence of LIV and DP World Tour players at one of the sport’s most iconic venues, the stakes have never been higher, and the intrigue surrounding this event is sure to captivate golf enthusiasts from around the world.

 

As the dust settles on LIV Golf’s latest chapter, all eyes will be on Scotland as the sport’s biggest names prepare to battle it out once again across the windswept fairways and undulating greens of St Andrews, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarns. Whether you’re a fan of the traditional tours or a supporter of the LIV Golf movement, one thing is certain: the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is set to deliver high drama, unforgettable moments, and a true celebration of the game of golf.