Golf

Brian O’Driscoll plays in Dunhill Links

The world’s most capped rugby player is a keen golfer and now retired gets a chance to pursue his love of the game

Leinster’s Brian O’Driscoll scroing a try against Munster. The two sides meet this weekend but the retired O’Driscoll will be hoping to be still involved in the Dunhill Links. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho
Leinster’s Brian O’Driscoll scroing a try against Munster. The two sides meet this weekend but the retired O’Driscoll will be hoping to be still involved in the Dunhill Links. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho
Tue Sept 30 2014 - 14:39

Brian O'Driscoll becomes the latest Irishman to tee it up at the Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland starting on Thursday over the St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns courses following in the footsteps of regulars, businessmen Dermot Desmond and JPMcManus.

The former Lions, Ireland and Leinster rugby international centre who retired at the end of last seasonwill take part for the first time. He's a single figure handicap and joins a list of celebrities in the event including Hollywood and TV stars Damian Lewis, Bill Murray and Hugh Grant, rock legends Don Felder, Huey Lewis and Tico Torres.

Among the list of ex-footballers is Bobby Charlton, Johan Cruyff, Ruud Gullit, Luis Figo, Michael Ballack, Alan Hansen and Jamie Redknapp who are included in a keen group of sporting amateurs that will join world number one Rory McIlroy and US Open champion Martin Kaymer among other world-class professionals.

li Jamie Dornan, the star of the much awaited film version of Fifty Shades of Grey, will also make his debut. Dornan, from Holywood in Northern Ireland, the same town as McIlroy has the title role of Christian Grey in the film, which is due to be released early next year.

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Dornan said: "I can't wait to play in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship this week. I'll be one of two people playing from Holywood, County Down. The other being Rory McIlroy. I'd say your money's safer with Rory."