When I first visited Scotland, I waited in line at 3am to play The Old Course, I golfed the original redan at North Berwick, and I played in 50mph winds at Elie Golf Club. These experiences and more shaped my view of the game and enhanced my appreciation for the people, places, and the history of the sport. After a second visit to Scotland had the same effect, I was thrilled to visit for a third time. The magical country of Scotland would exceed my expectations again.
This time, I was invited by the tournament committee to cover the 2019 Dunhill LInks Championship. The Dunhill is a celebration of links golf played over three iconic golf courses, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, and The Old Course at St Andrews. The tournament has a unique format with two separate competitions playing side by side. There is an individual professional tournament for the world’s leading golfers and a team format that features some of the world’s most famous amateurs playing alongside the professionals. For Americans, the format is similar to the ATT Pro Am at Pebble Beach. The actual tournament has a completely different feel.
Rory’s face when he was told that Patrick Koenig was in town to cover the 2019 Dunhill.
This year’s field at the Dunhill was one of the strongest in the tournament’s 37 year history at St Andrews. With stars and celebrities like Rory Mcilroy, Tony Finau, Justin Rose, Ahmad Rashad, Greg Kinnear, Padraig Harrington, Bill Murray, Lee Westwood, Luke Wilson, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, and Justin Timberlake, I was going to have my hands full.
Justin Timberlake eyes his approach on the 14th at Carnoustie
Ahmad Rashad rips one down the fairway on the Road Hole at St Andrews
One of the best parts about covering golf tournaments as a photographer is the access that we are generously provided. I was able to walk inside the ropes and along with the competitors. It was a real kid in a candy store type feeling. While I was focused on capturing the action, it was also fun to be a spectator with a great view.
I did my best to blend into the links landscape as I captured moments in time with my camera. However, the players weren’t adverse to chatting it up in between golf shots and Justin Timberlake even gave me a fist bump.
It’s difficult to look at this face and not think “Mitch-a-palooza”
I’d take The Dunhill over Mitch-a-palooza all day long.
Jon Rahm reacts to the news that Patrick Koenig has been allowed into the media center this week.
Justin Rose shows his excitement after learning the news that Patrick Koenig had joined the Dunhill Links media team.
As you can tell from the photos above, the players had mixed reactions to my presence at the tournament. One thing is for sure, nobody wanted to talk to me about it during my impromptu press conference..
Nobody showed up to my press conference at the @dunhilllinks 🙁 pic.twitter.com/djjmO7rZFu
— Patrick Koenig (@PatrickjKoenig) September 26, 2019
Andrew “Beef” Johnston on the 16th hole at St Andrews.
One of my favorite stories from the week was Rory playing golf with his dad. As most golfers know there is nothing quite like a father son golf outing. This outing just happened to be on a grand stage. I followed the pairing for about 9 holes and you could tell that Rory was really enjoying the walk with his father. I didn’t see the smile on Gerry McIlroy’s face disappear for one moment.
Gerry McIlroy hammers a hickory driver on the 18th hole at St Andrews. The Dunhill folks set out some of the old school clubs for the pros to try.
How many times is JT going to bring sexy back?
After catching some early action at St Andrews it was time to head out to Carnoustie. I was hunting down the power grouping of Justin Rose, Justin Timberlake, Tony Finau, and Ryan Smith. I know what you are thinking… “Woah, that Ryan Smith guy got lucky.”
The biggest observation I took from walking with Rose & Finau for some time is the relaxed nature of their approach to the game. It has a clear and strong focus with a calm natural vibe. If I could bottle it, I would.
The two Justins mull over a pair of birdie putts.
JT’s number one fan, Jessica Biel, made an appearance.
While Justin Timberlake did not say the quote above, he did manage to play some pretty good golf. JT hovers around a 1-2 handicap and rescued his team mate, Justin Rose, on several holes. I was hoping for some sort of choreographed celebration dance but it never happened.
Being a 1-2 handicapper as well, I saw a lot of similarities in our golf games. However, after observing him for 2 days, I think I could take him. Since I know that Justin Timberlake is an avid blog reader of mine, this your official challenge, JT. Any place, any time.
My favorite moment from Carnoustie came on the 8th hole. I was taking some video of Justin Rose from behind the tee box on #9 when we heard a roar. Lee Westwood had decided to interrupt Justin’s Rose’s tee shot with an ace. The tweets below should give you a good idea of how it all went down.
Made a quick cameo! Top right for .00001 seconds. https://t.co/8a1eotmxyT
— Patrick Koenig (@PatrickjKoenig) September 27, 2019
It doesn’t sound like an ace roar. But it is. #DunhillLinks pic.twitter.com/ImBsHM2b1q
— Patrick Koenig (@PatrickjKoenig) September 27, 2019
For the second day of the Dunhill LInks I decided to head out to Kingsbarns to catch the hot golf action. As you can tell, security was tight, but I made it past Scruffles after a lengthy interrogation.
With high profile celebrities left and right, Scruffles and his security team were on the premises.
Rory makes his approach into the short 6th hole.
Timberlake made a long par putt on the 11th hole to pick up partner, Justin Rose..
Golf has been enjoyed on the links land of Kingsbarns since 1873, but it wasn’t until the year 2000 that Kingsbarns Golf Links was established. Designed by Kyle Phillips and developed by Mark Parsinnen, the modern links design provides great contrast between modern day creations and the historic courses in the area. It fits perfectly into the 3 course rotation of the Dunhill Links.
JT laughs at another one of my hilarious golf jokes.
Tommy Fleetwood stares one down on #5 at Kingsbarns
Vinnie Jones heads to the 6th tee as the rain drizzle gets drizzling.
After watching several days of golf, I was itching to hit the little white ball around myself. Fortunately, there was an unoccupied golf course just down the street called The Duke’s course. It’s owned by the same folks that operate Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run in Kohler Wisconsin. I knew it was going to be good.
I tried my best to channel my inner Justin Rose, but the Duke’s course is surprisingly hard and plenty long. The course is a par 71 and from the back tees it plays 7.512 yards. I decided to knock off about 1,000 yards and have some fun. Although you do have views of the sea on several golf holes, The Duke’s is regarded as one of the finest heathland courses in the country. The holes are well designed and the bunkering is reminiscent of a Coore & Crenshaw course that you might find in America.
Since it has only been open for play since 1996, the course is hundreds of years younger that it’s celebrated neighbors in St Andrews. While it’s probably not the main reason you came to Scotland, the course is very well done and should be given a chance in between your rounds on the links courses.
After the round at The Duke’s Course I hustled back to the Old Course to catch the day’s remaining action on The Old Course.
Alex Noren prays to his golf ball on the 18th tee box.
The two Justins pose on the Swilcan Bridge.
Luke Donald is all smiles after holing out for eagle on 18.
Lee Westwood and his caddie/girlfriend Helen Storey.
Rory lines up a birdie look on the 18th hole.
Rory with one of my favorite tee shots in all of golf.
Martin Kaymer eyes the green on the 18th at the Old Course
Even Medterra CBD got some time to pose on the Swilcan Bridge.
We had finally arrived at the final day of the Dunhill Links Championship. By the time that the leaders had made the turn, it was apparent that it was only a two man race. It came down to Victor Perez vs. Matthew Southgate.
Lucky Charms cereal???
Perez awaits his approach into 17.
Both Perez and Stafford were tied at -22 heading into the 17th hole. As I quietly observed the two competitors, I noticed what I believed to be the deciding factor in the golf tournament. As Perez prepared to hit his tee ball on 17, he loaded up on a handful of Lucky Charms cereal. The actual existence of Lucky Charms cereal cannot be confirmed, but Perez hammered a bomb right down the middle of the fairway after digesting the mystery sustenance. He never lost the momentum after that tee shot and proceeded to take the victory on 18. I would highly suggest checking out my Instagram Highlights story to experience the action down the stretch.
Victor Perez hits his approach into the 18th on the Old Course en route to a one shot victory.
Victor Perez signs pin flags after his victory at the 2019 Dunhill Links
A joyous interview from an elated Victor Perez.
A champagne soaked Perez looks for some victory hugs.
Now normally after the golf tournament is over everyone just packs their stuff and goes home. In my case, the excitement was just beginning. I quietly braced myself to check one of the greatest items of all time off of my golf bucket list… Play golf with Bill Murray on the Old Course. The full behind the scenes story is brought to you exclusively from www.golf.com. Head on over to check out the story.
