Gareth Bale’s golf game praised by US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick ahead of AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Golf News
NFL quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Josh Allen, along with actors Bill Murray, Jason Bateman and Alfonso Ribeiro are all in attendance at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am; Watch live Thursday from 4.30pm on Sky Sports Golf
Last update: 02/01/23 22:39
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Matt Fitzpatrick says it was a pleasure to meet Gareth Bale and play a round of golf with him ahead of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Matt Fitzpatrick says it was a pleasure to meet Gareth Bale and play a round of golf with him ahead of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick has become the latest major winner to praise Gareth Bale’s golf game ahead of his debut at the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, live on Sky Sports.
Bale is among the big names in this unique event, offering a pro-am format and seeing 156 professionals and 156 amateurs play on three iconic courses – Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Monterey Peninsula Country Club.
The former Tottenham and Real Madrid star, who only announced his retirement from football in January and is listed as having a handicap of two, has been paired with former Korn Ferry Tour Championship winner Joseph Bramlett for the first three rounds in California.
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Fitzpatrick – an avid Sheffield United fan – played nine holes with Bale on Wednesday, the world No.10 was quick to praise the golfing talent the Welshman possesses.
“It was really cool,” Fitzpatrick said of playing with Bale. “First time meeting him officially. So it was obviously good to see him. Really, really appreciated.
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“Ask him about football and he asks about golf and stuff. We had a really nice front nine and there aren’t many better places to do that than here.”
Fitzpatrick is the latest big winner in as many weeks to partner Bale in a pro-am, following Jon Rahm doing the same ahead of last week’s Farmers Insurance Open in Torrey Pines.
Matt Fitzpatrick (right) gave advice to Gareth Bale during his turn on Wednesday
The Spaniard said of Bale’s game at the time: “I said to Gareth, you can’t be so good at professional football and golf at the same time, that just doesn’t seem fair!
“You can’t focus on one thing and have so much talent for golf, it’s not fair at all. You can tell he loves the sport, he loves golf and he really wants to play a little bit more.”
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Golf’s Jon Rahm was impressed after playing alongside recently retired footballer Gareth Bale in their Pro-Am at Torrey Pines.
Golf’s Jon Rahm was impressed after playing alongside recently retired footballer Gareth Bale in their Pro-Am at Torrey Pines.
When asked if Bale’s good was as good as Rahm suggested, Fitzpatrick added: “I don’t know what Jon said but yeah he [Bale] is obviously a good player. He obviously has a lot of talent. Yes, he was impressive.”
NFL quarterbacks Josh Allen and Aaron Rodgers are among other notable amateur celebrities in action, alongside actors Bill Murray, Jason Bateman and Alfonso Ribeiro, while Fitzpatrick is joined by Viktor Hovland and Jordan Spieth in the main field .
Watch the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am all week long live on Sky Sports. Early coverage begins Thursday from 4.30pm on Sky Sports Golf before full coverage from 8pm.