Welsh football legend Gareth Bale only retired from the round-ball game in January, but he’s already set to make his official PGA Tour golfing debut on Friday morning (AEDT).
Bale is one of 156 amateurs competing alongside 156 professionals at the famous Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California.
The list of amateur stars includes two NFL quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers and Josh Allen – the latter even skipping the Pro Bowl this weekend to compete – as well as Hollywood icon Bill Murray and rapper Macklemore.
But the golf-obsessed Bale boasts a two handicap, ranking him equal-10th among the amateurs teeing off at Pebble Beach.
Watch every round of the PGA Tour LIVE & Exclusive on Fox Sports, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Reed caught in cheating controversy? | 02:34
33-year-old Bale nabbed five Champions League titles at Real Madrid, but his nine-year stint at the iconic Spanish club was tainted by constant criticism that he cared more for his golfing hobby than what happened on the football pitch.
After qualifying for Euro 2022 with Wales, his teammates famously held aloft a banner reading: “Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order”.
‘It hurts’: Smith takes swipe over golf feud as sad world No.1 reality finally sinks in
‘Down to my college weight’: Mickelson’s transformation leaves golf world ‘gasping’
Now Bale, who has a three-hole golf course at his home, is finally set to take his love of the sport to the next level.
He played nine holes alongside world number 10 and former major winner Matt Fitzpatrick on Wednesday, leaving the former major winner highly impressed. Fitzpatrick said: “he is obviously a good player. He has obviously got a lot of talent. Yeah, he was impressive.”
Last week Bale teed off with Jon Rahm, the 2021 US Open winner and current world number three – and blew the Spanish star away with his prowess.
“I told Gareth, you can’t be so good at professional football and golf at the same time, it just doesn’t seem fair,” Rahm said. “Can’t be dedicated to one thing and have this much talent for golf, it’s not fair in the slightest.”
Rahm said Bale’s two handicaps were ‘wrong’ and not reflective of his talent, and revealed the former footballer didn’t ask the golfing pro for any tips in their nine holes together.
“He didn’t ask for anything, nor should he be asking, he’s already good enough,” Rahm said. “Like I said, he has no business being that good when he’s a professional football player.
“The second he’s done and he can actually practice more, he’s going to get a lot better.”
Bale will play alongside 2021 Korn Ferry Tour Championship winner Joseph Bramlett for the opening three rounds in California.
LIVE coverage of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am begins on Foxtel and Kayo on Friday from 4.15am AEDT (featured groups, Fox Sports 503) with full round coverage from 7am AEDT on Fox Sports 503.
Watch every round of the PGA Tour LIVE & Exclusive on Fox Sports, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
.