Chris Evans banned from Alfred Dunhill Links golf tournament after being 'barred for life'

Radio DJ Chris Evans was previously banned from the Alfred Dunhill Links after winning the star-studded pro-am golf tournament. The event has returned this week and sees professional golfers paired with amateurs, including Andy Murray and other famous names, in a team format, played across three different courses in Scotland.

In 2011, Evans and pro golfer Nick Dougherty cruised to victory with a score of 40-under-par. However, Evans faced questions over his 10 handicap after the pair recorded the lowest score in tournament history.

Despite booking time off his radio show to return to the tournament the following year, Evans learned he had been banned. Mirror Sport has approached Alfred Dunhill for comment regarding whether Evans' ban is still in place, more than a decade later.

“Sadly, I will not be defending my title this year,” Evans said in 2012. “Why? It transpires I’ve been barred for life. I could go into why but frankly it’s all a bit of a bore. Suffice to say, if we were kids in the playground, the boy who owns the ball just took it home in a huff because his team didn’t win.”

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Evans triumphed over a field that included A-list golf fans such as Michael Douglas, Samuel L Jackson and Hugh Grant. However, the 59-year-old was not completely shocked by his subsequent ban, having revealed that concerns had been raised at the time.

"Along with congratulations, there were rumblings of dissent,” he said, as per TNT Sports. “The gloaming was dark with talk of my handicap being too high for my ability.” He added: "It crossed my mind to set up an alternative tournament on the exact same dates. I think I'll call it the Dung Hill Cup."

While Evans is not one of the celebrities competing at the prestigious pro-am this year, there are plenty of famous faces among the field. The competition has welcomed acting royalty, with husband and wife Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, plus comedy legend Bill Murray, all taking part.

US rock icon Huey Lewis and Keane frontman Tom Chaplin are among several of the amateur golfers from the music world. Meanwhile, there are plenty of sporting icons also hitting the links courses.

Tennis legend Murray, who has his eyes set on qualifying for The Open in the future, is making his latest pro-am appearance. Five-time Olympic gold medalist rower Steve Redgrave is also competing, while Ashes heroes Kevin Pietersen and Michael Vaughan are among the former cricket players in the lineup.

Several ex-South African rugby internationals, including Morne du Plessis, are also attending the event. Meanwhile, Dustin Johnson is joined by his NHL legend father-in-law, Wayne Gretzky.

Professional golfers play an individual strokeplay event alongside the team competition. Defending champion and recent Ryder Cup hero Tyrell Hatton is competing in the team format alongside his dad, Jeff. Fellow Ryder Cup winner and 2023 Alfred Dunhill champion Matt Fitzpatrick is also joined by his father, Russell.