St Andrews Set for Elite Showdown
The expectation is on links golf fans. The 2026 Alfred Dunhill Nexus Championship field has officially been established under the Thursday entry deadline. This major event returns to the legendary Old Town course in Fife, Scotland. It marks the 37th stop on the 2025-2026 DP World Tour schedule. The competition will feature a lineup of 168 players over four days. Top names like Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton, and Justin Rose headline the list. No open qualifiers will be used for this particular tournament. The field will adjust according to the abstracts or added invitations. An alternate list has been prepared, starting with Andrea Halvorsen and Zander Lombardo.
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According to Golf News Net, the purse for this event stands at a whopping $5,000,000. Seven of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking are expected to be among the contenders. The tournament is the last on the 2026 DP Tour schedule, setting the stage for the high stakes finish.
Fitzpatrick Claims Big Victory in France
Just before the designated Dunhill field, Matt Fitzpatrick achieved a remarkable victory at the 2016 FedEx Open de France. Per Golf News Net, the Englishman shot the boat at Le Golf National near Paris, France. He finished in 20-under, a total of 460, to win by three strokes. This marks his 15th world professional title. Angel Hidalgo took second place with a score of 17-under. Four players tied for third at 15-under, including Kristoffer Reitan, Eugenio Chacarra, Matthieu Pavon, and Tom Vaillant.
The rewards of this victory were solid. Golf News Net reports that Fitzpatrick earned the winner’s share of $637,500 of his total purse of $3,750,000. This win also boosted his standing at the time of the Race to Dubai points race. She collected 835 points, while also gaining 25 Official World Golf Ranking points. The event saw a 36-hole cut, with 64 of the 144 starting players making the weekend.
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GolfMagic confirms that Fitzpatrick started the final round with a five-shot lead. His advantage was shrunk to two shots after a strong charge from Eugenio Chacarra in the morning. The Spaniard’s challenge faded after a double bogey at the thirteenth hole. Fitzpatrick responded with birdies 13 and 15 to regain control. He shot a 70 in the final round of the title. GolfMagic also notes that Tommy Fleetwood has withdrawn from the event due to illness.
What the Results Mean for Dunhill
The momentum Fitzpatrick carries in Alfred Dunhill’s Bonds Championship cannot be lifted. Winning the title with such a large purse and high OWGR points adds immediate momentum to his chances at St Andrews. The course conditions at Le Golf Nationale were difficult on the final day, and he still managed to hold his own against the tough field. This resilience suggests that the links will handle winds and uneven lies on the Old Course well. With seven in the world already in the top 50, the level of play will be incredibly high.
For the casual fan, the presence of so many top-class players makes this event a must-watch. The $5 million purse makes sure every shot counts. includes a mixed field of seasoned veterans and rising stars. The absence of an open qualifier means that the list is strictly filled by order and invitation. This guarantees a competitive start to the tournament. The alternate index provides a safe net in any form of abstraction. Fans can expect drama as the players jockey for their position in the historical record.
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The following steps in the Tour
The action directs from Paris to Scotland. The 2026 DP World Tour schedule continues next week with the Alfredo Dunhill Nexus Championship. Players head into the Old Course to begin their quest for the title. the field is closed and the purse is ready. This week marks a critical juncture in the season as the players strive for a strong finish.