Van Rooyen claimed his maiden PGA Tour title in last week’s Barracuda Championship, becoming the third South African to win on the PGA Tour this season.

He leads a South African challenge that also includes Dean Burmester, Richard Sterne, Brandon Stone and Daniel van Tonder.

Olympian Tommy Fleetwood, who has twice finished runner-up in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and is the current holder of the Team Championship with Ogden Phipps, joins American world number 22 Tony Finau and local Scottish favourite Robert MacIntyre in the field for this prestigious European Tour event staged at three of the greatest Links courses in the world, the Old Course St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, from September 30 to October 3.

Among the other early entries are European players Richard Bland, Thomas Detry, Nacho Elvira, Sam Horsfield, Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston, Pablo Larrazabal, Eddie Pepperell and Andy Sullivan.

Frenchman Victor Perez, who has held the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship trophy for two years after the 2020 Championship did not take place because of the covid pandemic, will be back to defend his title.

Alfred Dunhill has supported golf at St Andrews for over 35 years, through the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and previously the Alfred Dunhill Cup. Millions have been raised for charity in that time through the work of the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation.

The Championship incorporates two separate competitions - an individual professional tournament for the world's leading golfers and the Team Championship, in which the pros are paired with amateur players, creating a unique atmosphere and camaraderie.

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship has been working closely with the Scottish Government and the European Tour to ensure that the Championship can capture the excitement and the unique camaraderie of the event, while mitigating against any remaining problems caused by the pandemic.

In line with other golf and sports events, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship has been constantly reviewing how the 2021 Championship can best take place, while ensuring the health and comfort of golfers, spectators and the many people involved in putting on the event.