With five weeks still to go until entries close, a record entry is anticipated for the four round tournament played over the Old Course and the New Course, St Andrews from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 June.

Niall Flanagan, Secretary to the Organising Committee was optimistic that this year’s Links Trophy would surpass all previous events, “I am delighted not only with the number of entries so far, but with the calibre of player who wants to compete at St Andrews.

“The St Andrews Links Trophy has grown in stature over the years and this surely reflects on the quality of our courses, on the tournament organisation and on the perception of the tournament in the minds of golfers from around the world.”

“This is underlined by the breadth of entries so far received from players resident in countries outside Great Britain and Ireland – Australia, Canada, Netherlands, USA, Denmark, New Zealand, South Africa and Venezuela.”

It was with the intention of expanding the overseas entry, particularly from the U.S., that the tournament was moved to a later date in June, thus avoiding a clash with the NCAA Finals, this year being played in Oregon.

As always, the home entry will include all players aiming to be a member of this year’s GB&I team for the St Andrews Trophy and perhaps for next year’s Walker Cup.

Teenager Oliver Fisher, seasoned campaigner Nigel Edwards, Robert Dinwiddie and Richie Ramsay are certainly contenders for these teams but a win in the Links Trophy may be stymied by players such as David Hewan of South Africa, Tristin Lambert and Andrew Martin of Australia, Canada’s James Wellings and Jan Willem van Hoof of the Netherlands.

The 144 competitors play 18 holes on each of the Old Course and the New Course and the 40 lowest scores and ties qualify for the final 36 holes over the Old Course on Sunday 11th June.