Goosen closes in on crown

Retief Goosen is well ahead in the European rankings

Retief Goosen can clinch the European Order of Merit title at the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.

But the South African front-runner is likely to be overshadowed by some less impressive golfers in this celebrity pro-am event.

With Hollywood stars, legendary cricketers and top footballers also involved in the tournament, much of the attention will focus on the amateur players.

But Goosen will be putting the celebrity issue to the sidelines as he launches his assault on the Order of Merit at the three-course tournament.

The 32-year-old US Open champion, who is £440,000 clear of Irishman Darren Clarke at the top of the money list, plays with his brother Francois.

They start at Carnoustie on Thursday, and then play the new Kingsbarns course on Friday before switching to the Old Course at St Andrews for the final two rounds.

I've always wanted to get in the Ryder Cup team and this could be my chance!

Hugh Grant

Assuming, that is, they make the 54-hole cut.

First prize for the professionals is a massive £560,000 - only £40,000 less than David Duval received for winning the Open at Lytham in July.

The total purse of £3.5m makes it the richest event ever staged in Britain.

Resigned

Yet for many of the spectators the main attraction will be star spotting.

Clarke, for instance, partners American actor Michael Douglas.

And Lee Westwood, resigned now to losing the number one crown he won last season, partners Samuel L Jackson.

Former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker plays with Swede Joakim Haeggman and they are paired with the Goosens on the first three days.

Grant: Dreams of a Ryder Cup starring role

Other leading pairings include:

Sam Torrance and Hugh Grant

Ian Woosnam and Ian Botham

Colin Montgomerie and Wayne Huizenga, owner of the Miami Dolphins American football team.

Fifteen-handicapper Grant, star of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, said: "It's quite a responsibility, but I will be giving it my best shot.

"I've always wanted to get in the Ryder Cup team and this could be my chance!

"Seriously, it's a great privilege to be playing with someone like Sam and I am very excited by the prospect.

"I've never been to St Andrews before and it was wonderful, having arrived in the dark, to wake up and see the Old Course for the first time out of my bedroom window.

Worst enemy

"For the middle-aged golf addict like myself this is like dying and going to golfing heaven.

"Over-excitement has been the main problem. It's a real treat. In between films I'm now playing quite a bit.

Douglas: Not confident about his game at present

"I really only started seriously about three years ago.

"I used to have many different types of books on my bedside table. But these days about 95% are about golf - sad, isn't it."

Douglas, husband of Catherine Zeta Jones, plays off 17 and admits: "My game is all over the place at the moment - and sometimes I can be my own worst enemy.

"But I really love your links courses. They are an absolute joy."

Douglas, though, is aware of the criticism that has been levelled at the championship, which has been revamped for this year's event.

"You'll have to ask the professionals at the end how much they enjoyed playing with their amateur partners," he said.

"My driving is all over the place - but I'm generally quite pleasant and I can talk about things other than just golf and movies."

Botham is obviously hoping for great things with new World Match Play champion Woosnam.

He said: "I've been practising quite a bit, which is unusual for me. "I can't wait to get started - and Woosie's in great form."

Other celebrities include Kurt Russell, Sir Steven Redgrave, Sir Bobby Charlton, Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres and former Olympic skiing champion Franz Klammer.