The South African, who won three medals at the London 2012 Paralympics, including two gold, will join a pro-am field that also includes Michael Phelps, the most successful athlete in the history of the Olympics with a total of 22 medals, 18 of them gold. 

Pistorius, who plays off a handicap of 18, will take part in the Championship, which incorporates two separate competitions - an individual professional tournament for the world's leading golfers and a team event in which the professionals are paired with the celebrities - in which one of the main attractions is fellow South Africa Ernie Els, the current British Open champion. 

"It's a real treat to play in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship," said the double amputee sprinter.

"I am a big golf fan and love the game.

"I have never played St Andrews, Carnoustie or Kingsbarns before, so playing them in a world-class event is a unique opportunity.

"There is so much history at St Andrews, every golfer longs to play there.

"As a South African it will be lots of fun to be playing in a tournament with other great names of the sport from my country in Ernie Els, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel.

"I can't wait to get on the first tee.

"When the invitation came to play, not even a holiday was going to stop me."

England's Michael Hoey won last year's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

The event, which is due to begin next Thursday (October 4). is played over three of the world's best known and respected links courses – the Old Course at St Andrews, the Championship Course at Carnoustie and the highly regarded Kingsbarns Golf Links.

Other professionals taking part include Scotland's top golfer Paul Lawrie, winner of the Open in 1999 at Carnoustie, and Northern Ireland's 2011 Open champion Darren Clarke.

Ireland's three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington will be back to see if he can win a unique third Championship, having taken the title in 2002 and 2006, and Germany's Martin Kaymer who won in 2010, the same year he won the USPGA Championship, will be looking for a repeat victory.

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