Els calls for change of date

The organisers have been hit hard by the weather

Ernie Els says the weather-affected Dunhill Links Championship deserves a better date on the European tour schedule in future.

The South African is lying a stroke behind Paul Lawrie and Paul McGinley ahead of the delayed fourth round on Monday.

The weather's been so bad even the seagulls have stayed away

Darren Clarke

"The tour's really got to look at the date of this tournament," Els said.

"With the sponsors putting all this money in, the tour's got to give the sponsor a better date.

"I did have some plans to get back to the States, but now everything's going later. It's a pity."

At £3.5m, the new event is the richest in terms of total prize-money ever staged in Britain.

The first prize of £551,000 is only £50,000 less than David Duval won at The Open in July.

By "better", Els means earlier. Staging the event in October was always going to be a gamble with the Scottish weather and it is a gamble the organisers have lost this year.

Very few spectators have turned up on the first four days despite all the celebrities on view.

Rescheduled

A five-year contract has been signed for the event to continue at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.

Next season the tournament is expected to take place in the week after the Ryder Cup, itself rescheduled for September 27-29 at The Belfry.

Early October, however, will probably not be much better.

Despite the cold, wind and regular soakings, many of those taking part are having a good time.

Hollywood actor Michael Douglas, who has partnered Darren Clarke, said: "From our end it's a fantasy come true - a tremendous treat for the amateurs.

"They [the organisers] got clobbered by the weather, but you couldn't ask for three better courses."

Els is partnering his father, Neels, this week

Colin Montgomerie said: "Potentially this tournament, over the next few years, can be the best pro-am that there is worldwide.

"I believe we have the three best courses - people are willing to travel an awful long way to play them."

Lee Westwood, no fan of the Old Course at St Andrews in the past, has been partnering Samuel L Jackson:

"I've enjoyed it more than I have in the past and it's as much a thrill for us to play with people like Samuel and Michael as they say it is to play with professionals," he said.

"The weather's been so bad even the seagulls have stayed away," Clarke said.

"I think it's pretty unfair to have the criticism levelled at the tournament.

"The weather is the only thing you can't control and it's very harsh to give the tournament a hard time because of that.

"It's been very, very unlucky."