'Back You Go Gareth Bale' - Social Media Reacts To Excited Pup At Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

The event in Scotland has been great viewing, with one video on social media garnering plenty of attention as an excited dog returned Gareth Bale's golf ball during the tournament

Gareth Bale speaks to his playing partner
(Image credit: Getty Images/X:@DarrenMcRae3)
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A video posted to social media has been drawing plenty of attention, for humorous reasons, with Gareth Bale, who is playing in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, seeing his golf ball being returned by a dog.

Posted by user @DarrenMcRae3 to X/Twitter, the video shows Bale hitting an approach shot at St Andrews with the ball finishing just past the flag. However, just a few seconds later, a dog is seen running on the green, picking the ball up and returning it back to the football star.

Having been shared thousands of times, and even posted to the DP World Tour's social profiles, there has been reaction from users and, below, we have taken a look through the best that social media has come up with.

Before we start, and for those wondering, the ruling is, thankfully, quite simple, as many asked what happens in this situation. Via the USGA: "If your ball is moved by an outside influence, such as an animal or a spectator, there is no penalty to anyone and the ball must be replaced."

Funnily enough, back in 2012 at the very same event, a playful dog fetched Paul Casey's golf ball at Kingsbarns, with the Englishman replacing his ball where it had finished. Another example was at the 1998 Players Championship, where a bird stole Brad Fabel's golf ball on the iconic par-3 17th at TPC Sawgrass.

Anyhow, let's get on with the reactions!

Matt Cradock
Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

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