Gareth Bale, a former soccer star, is making rounds on the celebrity golf circuit.
The former Tottenham and Real Madrid star was playing with Jon Rahm, 2021 U.S. Open Champion, in the Farmers Insurance Open pro-am. He’ll be competing alongside Joseph Bramlett in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am this week. Bale, a Welsh native, practiced nine holes with Matt Fitzpatrick from England, the reigning U.S. Open champion.
Bale has an impressive record of success, despite having a handicap of 2 and a replica Augusta’s 12 holes in his backyard.
Rahm stated, “I told Gareth that you can’t be so great at professional golf and professional football at the same time. It just doesn’t seem fair.”
Everything is ready for Pebble Beach It was great to play with you @GarethBale11! pic.twitter.com/iTenexTeqJ
— Matt Fitzpatrick (@MattFitz94) February 1, 2023
Fitzpatrick is a long-time Sheffield United fan. He said that they exchanged questions about their different sports.
Fitzpatrick stated, “We had an enjoyable front nine and there aren’t many better places than here to do it.”
He also shared a great story about a running joke between them. Fitzpatrick pointed out that Stellar Group was the company started and run by Jonathan Barnett. Fitzpatrick also mentioned that Fitzpatrick’s brother Matt, a Walker Cupper and college star at Wake Forest University, was trying to sign Fitzpatrick.
Multi-sport athlete
The cart path is not a problem @GarethBale11. pic.twitter.com/7EOuM3IE4M
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR February 2, 2023
Fitzpatrick said that he had a conversation with him, his manager, and joked to me that if I sign for his management company, I won’t score three goals against you team. “Obviously, I didn’t sign. I’m content with my current situation. He scored three goals against me. Pure, evidently, pure chance. And all I can remember was watching the game, and he scored all three. I was laughing. I was obviously disappointed.”
Bale ensured Fitzpatrick that he had not forgotten his promise to score another hat trick.
“I was sent a photo. In football, all players sign the ball after the game ends. Fitzpatrick shared the picture of the signed ball. To be fair, he’s an impressive individual. He has achieved many things in his field.”
