Dunhill under way after delayed start

The new Dunhill Links championship got off to an inauspicious start today when fog held up the first round on all three courses…

The new Dunhill Links championship got off to an inauspicious start today when fog held up the first round on all three courses.

A 90-minute delay was announced at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and the Old Course at St Andrews.

The new Stg£3.5 million pro-am event, the richest in Europe outside the British Open, replaces the old Alfred Dunhill Cup.

Each pair will play a round each at Carnoustie, the Old Course at St. Andrews and the new Kingsbarns course, before the professionals return to the Old Course.

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A massive first prize of just over £500,000 is up for grabs for the professionals and could well decide the Order the Merit currently led by Retief Goosen from Darren Clarke.

Ireland’s Eamonm Darcy is two over par after four holes at Saint Andrews while both Paul McGinley and David Higgins have yet to tee off at the Kingsbarns course. Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Des Smyth are also in action and tee off later today.

Organisers are concerned that play may not be completed each day with rounds expected to take in excess of five hours.

Reuters / PA