Gareth Bale teed off in style at the Reignwood Icons of Football golf tournament in Bangkok, but missed a whopping £7.3m hole-in-one prize! The Welsh star, representing Team World against Team England, couldn’t quite sink the shot needed to cash in. If he had, not only would Bale have taken home nearly £2.9m, but a generous portion would’ve gone to charity and lucky fans involved in a prize draw.
Despite the near-miss, excitement was in the air when Gabriel Batistuta took home the “Nearest the Pin” honour with an impressive shot just 11 feet 3 inches from the hole. Bale’s own attempt ended up in the stands among fans, adding an unforeseen twist to the event.
Bale and fellow Welshman Aaron Ramsey gave it their all but couldn’t stop England’s Andy Cole and Jimmy Bullard from securing a win for Team England. Despite his team’s loss, Bale’s pairing with Nigel de Jong held Robbie Fowler and Phil Jagielka to a tie.
Reflecting on his performance and the tournament atmosphere, Bale shared, “Golf is a game of respect, but I want to win,” while acknowledging how challenging the sport is compared to football. He dismissed the ‘Icon of Football’ label, remarking on the surreal nature of being recognized for his football career.
England ultimately clinched victory with a narrow 20-19 scoreline, retaining their title. Though Bale was keen to beat England, he’s still taking pride in sharing the greens with golfing legends, maintaining his love for the sport.
While he’s not planning to turn pro anytime soon, this event was a thrilling chapter in Bale’s sporting life. Stay tuned as we continue to follow Bale’s remarkable journey, both on the football field and golf course!