Top players take to the course for Alfred Dunhill Links

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship gets underway this morning with players competing across the famous courses at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.

After missing-out on selection for the Ryder Cup, Graeme McDowell and Shane Lowry are both set to return to action while vice captain Padraig Harrington will start his week on the Old Course at St Andrews.

Meanwhile, Olympic golf champion Justin Rose is taking two months off to fully recover from a back injury.

It means he'll miss the British Masters and the rest of the European Tour season.

Rose says the time off is “crucial” if he's to “return to peak performance”.