Gareth Bale 'Has No Business Being That Good' At Golf - Jon Rahm
The Spaniard was hugely impressed by the soccer star's ability on the course after playing with him in a pro-am
Gareth Bale has revealed that he will play in next week's Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the PGA Tour just weeks after announcing he is retiring from football. Before that, though, he teed it up with one of the world's best players, Jon Rahm, in the pro-am before this week's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
That left Rahm more than a little impressed with the 33-year-old's ability. The Spaniard said: "I told Gareth, you can't be so good at professional football and golf at the same time, it just doesn't seem fair. Can't be dedicated to one thing and have this much talent for golf, it's not fair in the slightest."
A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)
A photo posted by on
It is well known that Bale is a huge fan of the game and even has replicas of three of his favourite par-3s, including the 17th at TPC Sawgrass, on the grounds of his home in Cardiff. Meanwhile, one betting industry expert has also produced odds of just 5/1 that he turns professional. Rahm didn't go as far as to say that could be in the Welshman's future, but he admitted he'd like to see him play again. He said: "He's looking to retire soon and you can tell he loves this sport, he loves golf and he really wants to get to play a little bit more, so hopefully in the future I'll see him more times in the pro-am.”
Rahm was then asked if Bale had asked for feedback, with the Spaniard admitting he didn’t need any. He said: “He didn't ask for anything, nor should he be asking, he's already good enough. Like I said, he has no business being that good when he's a professional football player.”
Rahm, wasn’t finished there, and suggested that, even with a handicap of 2, Bale is only likely to improve, saying: “The second he's done and he can actually practice more, he's going to get a lot better. He got two strokes, which I think it's already wrong. He should be giving strokes back to the rest of the amateurs because he is a very, very good player.”
Rahm enters this week’s tournament looking for his third win in a row as he aims to reclaim the World No.1 position.
Click the link to watch footage of Rahm and Bale playing in the pro-am
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
RBC Heritage Final Round Tee Times
Scottie Scheffler leads by a single shot going into the final round of the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Tributes Paid After Stephanie Sparks - Former Pro And Golf Channel Host - Dies Aged 50
Sparks was well known for her long-time role as the host of Golf Channel's reality series 'Big Break'
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'We're A Fraternity' - Seve Stories Shared At Jon Rahm's 'Emotional' Masters Champions Dinner
Phil Mickelson was again quiet, Sandy Lyle couldn't make it and the Seve stories flowed as Jon Rahm hosted a successful Champions Dinner ahead of The Masters
By Paul Higham Last updated
-
Jon Rahm Reveals What He Misses About The PGA Tour Ahead Of Masters Defence
Rahm spoke about why he still "loves the PGA Tour", the pressure of LIV Golf events, and his legacy ahead of defending his Masters title this week
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
'I Definitely Wouldn't Mind Going Back To 72 Holes' - Jon Rahm Calls On LIV To Make 'Helpful' Format Change
The current Masters champion suggested that increasing the number of holes in a week on the PIF-backed circuit could help with unification in the men's game
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Jon Rahm Could Lack The 'Right Intensity' To Defend Masters Title After 'Playing Resort Courses In His Shorts' In LIV Golf
Sir Nick Faldo questioned whether Jon Rahm could find the right intensity to defend his Masters title after making the switch to LIV Golf
By Paul Higham Published
-
'We're Coming For That Green Jacket' - Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, And Sergio Garcia Backing LIV Golfer To Win The Masters
There are 13 LIV Golf players set to tee it up at Augusta National Golf Club next week - and it's fair to say that confidence is high among the group
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Jon Rahm Calls On Majors To Consider Invite For 'Left Out' LIV Player
The current Masters champion suggested there was one player in the LIV Golf League that has been "a little bit left out" despite being "fantastic" in 2023
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
PGA Tour Pro Says Jon Rahm ‘Broke An Unwritten Code’ With LIV Golf Defection
A current top-100 PGA Tour player believes Rahm's move to LIV Golf could end up pushing any kind of unity much further down the road
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
‘If You Make A Decision, It Must Have Consequences’ - Olazabal Divided Over Jon Rahm’s Ryder Cup Future
The Spaniard considered Europe's future in the historic competition if the likes of Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton remain ineligible for selection in Luke Donald's side
By Jonny Leighfield Published