Celtic supremo Dermot Desmond targeted by fans in balaclavas with tennis balls during Dunhill Links

Dermot Desmond, the principal Celtic shareholder, was confronted by a group of balaclava-wearing fans during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews on Saturday.

The incident happened on the 15th green on the Old Course as the 76-year-old was playing the hole in the same group as five-time major winner Brooks Koepka.

The group, who were all dressed in black, threw tennis balls bearing a picture of Desmond’s face onto the green as he competed in the team tournament in the DP World Tour event.

Dermot Desmond in the middle of the tennis balls throw on to the 15th green at St Andrews by disgruntled Celtic fans during the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship | Contributed

A spectator who witnessed the incident told Scotland on Sunday: “A group wearing balaclavas and all dressed in black appeared at the side of the 15th green and threw tennis balls towards Dermot Desmond on the green.”

It is believed that the group ran away before police could intervene, with Koepka, one of the event’s star attractions, missing a short birdie putt after the tennis balls had been cleared.

Desmond was accompanied by a personal security guard during the round and there was a noticeable police presence at the side of the 18th hole as the Irishman made his way up it. There were no further incidents, though, before he left the historic course in a buggy.

A number of police officers walked up the 18th hole at St Andrews as Dermot Desmond was playing it on Saturday afternoon | Contributed

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 2pm on Saturday, 3 October, 2026, we were aware of tennis balls being thrown on the golf course in St Andrews. There were no reports of injuries. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Desmond, a keen golfer who plays mostly at The K Club, is a regular in the Dunhill Links Pro-Am. In fact, he has only missed one of the previous 24 editions of the event at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews.

Dermot Desmond being escorted off by security from the 18th green | PA

Playing on this occasion with American professional David Bryant, Desmond won the team tournament with Swede Robert Karlsson for the first time in 2010 then repeated the feat in 2024 with Dane Thorbjorn Olesen.

The tournament organisers refused to comment on the incident.