Chris Evans barred for life from Alfred Dunhill Links pro-am after handicap dispute

In 2011, radio personality Chris Evans and professional golfer Nick Dougherty captured the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship pro-am title, posting a combined 40 under par that still stands as the tournament record. Subsequent review raised doubts about Evans’ claimed 10-handicap, prompting tournament officials in Scotland to issue a lifetime exclusion from the celebrity competition. Evans disclosed the decision in a 2012 newspaper column, expressing disappointment and hinting at the idea of launching an alternative tournament, though he never pursued it.

The upcoming edition of the pro-am will feature celebrities such as Gareth Bale, James Milner, Bill Murray and Ronan Keating, alongside professional stars like Brooks Koepka and Justin Rose. Evans’ ban underscores the importance of accurate handicap reporting in mixed-ability events.