Key Points
- Chris Evans is still banned from the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship due to a lifetime ban related to questions regarding his handicap.
- In 2011, Evans won the pro-am along with ex-pro golfer Nick Dougherty with a combined score of 40-under-par, setting a new tournament record.
- At the time, Evans had a handicap of 10; there were questions about the actual handicap of Evans.
- According to a newspaper column written by Evans in 2012, organisers told him that he has been “banned for life.”
- Another notable absentee from the tournament is Andy Murray due to a clash in schedule as he will be playing the “Rafaal” exhibition match on the same day at Rafael Nadal’s academy.
- This year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is being held from 1–4 October at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and Old Course at St Andrews.
- Some of the notable celebrity players participating in the 2026 championship include Gareth Bale, James Milner, Bill Murray, Ronan Keating, Piers Morgan, Ruud Gullit, Kevin Pietersen and Kelly Slater.
- The defending champion Bob MacIntyre is competing against Brooks Koepka, Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick in the professional category.
Wales (Wales Times) October 02, 2026 — Broadcaster Chris Evans will again be absent from the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship because of a lifetime exclusion from the celebrity pro-am, while former tennis champion Andy Murray is missing from this year’s field because of another commitment.
As reported by Tom Sunderland of The Mirror, Evans’s exclusion followed scrutiny of the handicap he used when he won the 2011 pro-am alongside Nick Dougherty. The pair finished 40 under par, a total described by The Mirror as still the tournament record.
Evans was competing off a 10 handicap during that victory. Questions were raised over whether the handicap accurately reflected his playing ability, although the reports do not state that organisers publicly confirmed the precise reason for the ban.
When Evans prepared to defend the title in 2012, he said Scottish tournament officials told him he would not be allowed to compete again. As reported by The Mirror, Evans wrote at the time: “Sadly, I will not be defending my title this year. Why? It appears I’ve been banned for life.”
What Did Chris Evans Say About the Ban?
Evans addressed the controversy in a newspaper column in 2012. As reported by The Mirror, he said: “I could delve into why but frankly it’s all a bit tedious. Suffice to say, if we were children in the playground, the boy who owns the ball just took it home in a sulk because his team didn’t win.”
On the handicap allegations, The Mirror quoted Evans as saying: “Along with congratulations, there were rumblings of dissent. The gloaming was dark with talk of my handicap being too high for my ability.”
WalesOnline also quoted Evans discussing the attention around his handicap, saying there had been “whispers of discontent” and discussion that his handicap was “too generous” for his skill level.
Evans also said he considered creating a rival competition on the same dates. As reported by The Mirror, he wrote: “It crossed my mind to set up an alternative tournament on the exact same dates. I think I’ll call it the Dung Hill Cup.”
Why Is Andy Murray Missing From the 2026 Event?
Andy Murray, who featured prominently in last year’s championship, is not taking part in the 2026 edition. According to WalesOnline, the scheduling clash involves the “Rafaal” exhibition match at Rafael Nadal’s academy during the same weekend.
Since retiring from professional tennis, Murray has focused on golf and has reduced his handicap to one, according to WalesOnline. His absence removes one of the most prominent sporting names from this year’s celebrity field, although the tournament retains a strong line-up of public figures.
Who Is Competing in the 2026 Championship?
The 2026 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship began on 1 October and runs until 4 October. Competitors are playing Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and the Old Course at St Andrews.
Welsh footballer Gareth Bale has returned to the field, while former Premier League midfielder James Milner is making his first appearance in the event. Hollywood actor Bill Murray is competing for the 11th time, and Ronan Keating is also among the participants.
Other confirmed celebrity names include Piers Morgan, Ruud Gullit, Kevin Pietersen and surfer Kelly Slater. In the professional competition, Bob MacIntyre is defending his title against Brooks Koepka, Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick and other leading players.
Background of the Development
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is an annual DP World Tour event that combines a professional tournament with a pro-am featuring celebrities and business figures. The 2026 edition is scheduled for 1–4 October and uses three Scottish courses: the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.
Evans won the 2011 pro-am with Nick Dougherty, a former England professional golfer. Their 40-under-par total remains the tournament record, according to The Mirror.
The controversy centred on Evans’s 10 handicap and whether it was appropriate for his ability. Reports by The Mirror, WalesOnline, the Daily Express and Digital Spy all connect the subsequent lifetime exclusion to those handicap concerns, though Evans publicly criticised the decision and organisers did not publicly set out a full explanation.
Prediction: How This Affects Golf Fans and Celebrity Golf
For golf fans, Evans’s continued absence is unlikely to affect the professional outcome of the championship, but it removes a familiar celebrity storyline from the pro-am field. The event still has a strong celebrity presence through Gareth Bale, Bill Murray, Ronan Keating and others, which should preserve much of its wider audience appeal.
For followers of Andy Murray’s post-tennis golf career, his absence may delay another high-profile appearance at St Andrews. However, his handicap of one suggests he remains likely to attract attention whenever he returns to competitive celebrity golf.
For the tournament itself, the Evans case may continue to be raised whenever the Dunhill Links is discussed, particularly because his 2011 record total remains part of the event’s history. The championship’s current focus, though, is expected to remain on the professional contest involving MacIntyre, Koepka, Rose and Fitzpatrick.
