Alfred Dunhill preparations underway at Kingsbarns

Preparations are underway at Kingsbarns Golf Links for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on 29 September.

The European Tour event, which boasts a £3.1 million prize fund, is set to feature a number of leading names in world golf including Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer.

The course is said to be in immaculate condition ahead of the championship as course manager Innes Knight and his team add the finishing touches.

The clubhouse at Kingsbarns has also been extended for this year's event. New chief executive Alan Hogg said: "I am very much looking forward to my first Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Kingsbarns.

"Hosting a prestigious European Tour event of this calibre is a real feather in Kingsbarns' cap and we will be working hard to ensure it is every bit as memorable as the previous events here."

A number of celebrities will also take to the links for the pro-am event including Samuel L. Jackson, Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres and Johan Cruyff.

British actor Hugh Grant said: "For the middle-aged golf addict like myself, this is like dying and going to golfing heaven."

Hollywood star Andy Garcia echoed Grant's sentiments and said: "The Kingsbarns Course reminds me a lot of some of the golf courses on the California coastline.

"There's one on the Monterrey Peninsula, and Pebble Beach too. I love playing links courses and Kingsbarns is a beautiful design. It looks much more than 10-years-old."