'It's not fair' - World No.3 Jon Rahm blown away by Gareth Bale's golf ability

ByAlasdair Mackenzie

Published 25/01/2023 at 16:16 GMT

Gareth Bale left world No.3 golfer Jon Rahm impressed after playing nine holes together, as the Spaniard said afterwards that 'it's not fair' that the Welshman is so good at two sports. Bale announced his retirement from football earlier this month and immedately turned his attention to golf. The Welshman is set to compete as an amateur at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California next month.

Jon Rahm has jokingly complained ‘it’s not fair’ how good Gareth Bale is at golf, after the recently-retired footballer impressed the world No.3 on a round.

Bale announced his retirement from football earlier this month aged 33, following spells with Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid and Los Angeles FC.

His decision came as something of a surprise, coming a matter of weeks after he led Wales to their first World Cup since 1958 in Qatar.

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But the five-time Champions League winner’s attention has quickly shifted to his golf, a sport he is passionate about and wants to play competitively.

Bale will feature on the PGA Tour next month as an amateur in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

As part of his preparation, the Welshman played nine holes with Rahm at Torrey Pines in California ahead of the Farmers Insurance Open – and the former US Open champion was blown away by the ex-footballer’s ability.

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“I told Gareth you just can't be so good at professional football and golf at the same time, it just doesn't seem fair,” Rahm said.

"You can't be dedicated to one thing and still have this much talent for golf, it's not fair in the slightest!”

Quizzed on what tips Bale looked to take from him, Rahm said: “He didn’t ask for anything, nor should he be asking – he’s already good enough.

“He has no business being that good when he’s a professional football player.

'It's not fair' - Rahm on Bale's golfing execllence

“The second he’s done, and he can actually practice more, he’s going to get a lot better.

“He has two strokes, which I think is already wrong, because he should be giving strokes back to the rest of the amateurs because he is a very, very good player.”

Bale was widely known as a keen golfer during his football career, famously celebrating behind a flag which read “Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order” when his country qualified for Euro 2020.

He will take part in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California on February 2-5 which will feature US Open winner Matt Fitzpatrick, Jordan Spieth, Luke Donald and 156 amateur golfers.

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