Ryder Cup victory still reason for celebration at Dunhill Links
By Nick Dye, European Tour Insider
It's party time in Scotland.
OK, every year at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, it's a relaxed and enjoyable time. Well, apart from six-hour-plus rounds in howling gales and driving rain on three of the hardest courses imaginable in bad weather condition, that is.
But this year, it's definitely a time for celebration.
There'll be a buoyancy to the European Tour after the heroics in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. Tour members have been successful individually across an exceptional season, but the team victory caps it all. And in troubled financial times, pointing to a successful product can only be good news.
"We live in these economic times where it is difficult for so-called sponsorship for any sport," said captain Colin Montgomerie after Monday night's party. "And that (the Ryder Cup win) can only help anyone who plays in Europe and plays golf on the European Tour. It helps us all."
The value of having a Ryder Cup player in a tournament may not be quite as high as the value of a major champion, but with the association of such a dramatic and thrilling match as that in Wales, it will surely benefit events wherever they may be.
THE ALFRED DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP boasts the presence of nine of Europe's team as well as the captain and those from the backroom. It's anyone's guess how those entrants will fare.
Monty left the celebrations at Celtic Manor shortly after midnight, being sensible: "I knew, as soon as we won, that I would be on breakfast shows from 7 a.m." He admits that he's not a big drinker, and he didn't want a "thick head" in the morning.
Others will have different tales to tell.
"I left the trophy with Lee Westwood who was on stage singing with it" the captain said.
Ian Poulter's tweeted video of "We Are The Champions" tells its own story, and the U.S. Open champion, Graeme McDowell, has posted a photo of a wee sip being taken from a certain golden chalice.
The hospitality at St Andrews -- remember the company that manages Westwood and Darren Clarke hired The Jigger Inn for The Open in July -- is always good, and there's plenty to celebrate along with teammates.
The Dunhill Links Championship is a tournament like no other in Europe, played over three different courses, and with a pro-am element running through all four days. St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns provide the setting, and stars of the calibre of Samuel L Jackson and Hugh Grant add the luster.
OF COURSE, I SHOULDN'T overplay the party side of things. These are professional players with a job to be done, and the Dunhill Links Championship has a reputation for having a huge say in who goes on to win the money list in Europe.
The focus on the Race to Dubai intensifies now.
Martin Kaymer is looking to secure a third successive stroke-play title but McDowell can close the gap on the PGA champion's lead in the Race. Westwood is back after seven weeks on the sidelines, and would love to follow up last year's Dubaian success. More immediately, after his rise to world No. 2, he could even supplant Tiger Woods at the top by finishing first or second this week.
Montgomerie may be a bit part player in the Order of Merit, down in 166th position, but he can now concentrate on his own game once again. Then again, the chances of him not having to field Ryder Cup questions this week and for forthcoming events is minimal.
BRITISH OPEN CHAMPION Louis Oosthuizen was meant to make a much anticipated return to the venue where he won the Claret Jug. Sadly, that's no longer a possibility, because he's injured an ankle ligament while on a hunting trip in South Africa.
He was home attending Charl Schwartzel's wedding. When on the hunting expedition, he stepped in a pothole, and turned his foot.
It's hoped he may be back for next week's Portugal Masters, but it appears there's no doubt about competing at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda on Oct. 19-20.
In the absence of Masters champ Phil Mickelson, Oosthuizen's countryman Ernie Els will be there with McDowell and Kaymer. In the meantime Els will be at the Dunhill Links Championship -- another looking to strengthen claims towards the Race to Dubai.
ALSO COMPETING AT THE ALFRED DUNHILL Links Championship are film and television stars -- Aidan Quinn and Kyle MacLachlan, for instance -- plus famous names from music like Huey Lewis and Michael Flatley, and many luminaries from other sports: former tennis star Tim Henman, top skier Franz Klammer, Australian cricketers Shane Warne and Steve Waugh.
We might be in awe of the top golfers, but they're human, too, and can also be star-struck. Consider this from three-time major winner Padraig Harrington, a member of the victorious Ryder Cup team:
"You look at someone like Samuel L Jackson and think, wow, he's cool.You just think you know them, because you've seen them on TV. But you can sit in the hotel for days and stargaze."
The celebrities may be looking on in the same way.
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