From the lawns to the greens, there is only one step and Gareth Bale hastened to cross it. Barely retired from the football fields, the former Real Madrid striker announced on social networks on Tuesday that he was going to participate with professional players in a golf tournament, from January 30 in California.
“I am pleased to announce that I will be participating in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am early next month! Let’s go ! “So shared the ex-Welsh international (111 caps including the last World Cup in Qatar) on his Instagram account.
A dabbler for some time, Bale has never hidden his passion for the little white ball. He has already participated in this same type of tournament, which brings together pros and amateurs on the courses. Just over two years ago, while still part of the White House, his exit with the Wales national team (« Wales, Golf, Madrid, in that order » – “Wales, golf, Madrid, in that order”) had been talking.
It remains to be seen what his record will be at Pebble Beach, a tournament won by big names in golf (Jack Niklaus, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, among others), whose overall prize pool is… 5 US$.5 million! Among the 156 amateurs lined up from February 2 to 5, Bale will rub shoulders with actor Bill Murray, while US Open winner Matt Fitzpatrick and world No. 5 Patrick Cantlay are registered with the professionals.