Wales football legend Gareth Bale emphatically ruled out any chance of a professional golf career.
Since retiring from football in 2023, Bale has found a new love in the sport of golf, with his passion and impressive talent making him one of the best celebrity golfers on the planet.
The former Wales captain and Real Madrid star has thrown an enormous amount of time and energy into the sport since retirement and admitted recently to cutting his handicap to 0.1, nearly scratch.
Despite his massive improvement from his four handicap at the end of his playing career, Bale has dismissed any notion of forging a second professional career in sport.
Once the most expensive signing in world football, Bale has conceded that the possibility of receiving a professional golfing Tour card is simply one step too far.
Following an interview with the BBC after a round at Royal Porthcawl in his native Wales, he set the record straight: “I think people think I’m going to try and become a professional golfer – but I’m not.”
“I just enjoy playing it, I enjoy the sport. I’ve grown up watching and playing it, but the level of the professionals is just incredible – I’m nowhere near that level,” he added.
Despite the Champions League medals and whopping contracts, Bale is now becoming renowned for his golfing exploits and leaving his footballing brilliance in the past.
And we all know the sign that started his transition from buoyant La Liga stadiums to calm golfing fairways.
The memorable banner eventually symbolised the closing of his illustrious football career and the birth of a new passion in golf, much to the dismay of Spanish media and fans.
Questions were raised over whether Bale’s love of golf was impacting his football focus and, importantly, his fitness.
Though the banner resulted in months of scrutiny, the still only 36-year-old has argued that golf was long his escape from the intense, ever-bubbling cauldron of professional football.
Having not played football in three years now, Bale is enjoying his hobby with much less external noise, and a hobby is all it is.
Bale stated: “When you are in golf and you see professional golfers play, compared to even your best stuff, it’s nowhere near.”
“They do it under the most severe pressure in tournament conditions and hard weather.”
Gareth Bale achieved much in the game of football, titles, records, fame and riches; he’s set himself up for his dream life after professional football.
So why not enjoy golf? It’s hard to imagine why Bale would wish for more pressure of being a professional; it’s not like he needs the pay cheques.
Golf for Bale is enjoyment, happiness if you like.
“I love the game. I love watching it. I love growing it, and that’s why we are here,” Bale stated with a smile, after his round at Royal Porthcawl, venue for the AIG Women’s Open this weekend.
