Once he celebrated in front of a banner that said ‘Wales. Golf. Madrid. In this order’.
But now that he has called it quits on his professional footballing career, golf seems to be Gareth Bale’s undisputed number one – just ask world number three Jon Rahm.
The 2021 US Open champion played alongside the former Wales and Real Madrid striker in the Pro-Am ahead of this week’s Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour.
It’s fair to say that the European Ryder Cup player was impressed with what he saw at Torrey Pines.
“I said to Gareth, ‘you can’t be so good at professional football and golf at the same time, it just doesn’t seem fair’,” said the in-form Spaniard, who is seeking his third win. consecutive on the PGA Tour. the week.
“You can’t devote yourself to one thing and have so much talent for golf, it’s not fair at all.”
Bale, a well-known golf enthusiast, announced earlier this week he will play the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California next month – just weeks later announcing his retirement professional football at age 33.
Bale has warmed up for his week with the pros with nine holes at Torrey Pines – and Rahm has said the former Tottenham Hotspur striker isn’t asking him for any advice.
“He didn’t ask for anything, nor should he ask, he’s good enough already,” the 28-year-old said. “He has nothing to do when he is a professional footballer.
“When he can train more, he will be much better.
“He got two shots in the Pro-Am, which I think is already wrong. He should give the rest of the fans some shots again because he’s a very, very good player.”
