'It was a great shot' - Gareth Bale reflects on an eye-catching PGA Tour debut at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am

ByGraham Jenkins

Updated 03/02/2023 at 11:57 GMT

Recently-retired footballer Gareth Bale offered the world an insight into his notable golf ability with a great recovery shot during the opening round of the PGA Tour's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am - but admitted luck certainly played its part. "I couldn't play it properly because there was a curb in front of me. In my practice swing I hit the curb. So I was like I have to really dig it..."

Gareth Bale wasted no time in making an impact on his PGA Tour debut with a brilliant recovery shot that has since gone viral on social media.

The former Wales captain, who announced his immediate retirement last month, is playing in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am as an amateur alongside tour regular Joseph Bramlett.

The duo opened their account with a seven-under-par round of 65 at the Spyglass Hill course to claim a share of 18th place with the highlight being Bale’s third shot at the par-4 second hole.

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Rose ends four-year title drought with AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am win

06/02/2023 at 19:42

Despite the fact his ball was resting on a path, Bale managed to chip to within four feet and escape with a par - with his heroics now having been viewed over two million times on Twitter.

“I was more worried about how I was there in the first place!” commented Bale. “I guess a lot of amateurs find themselves out of position. Yeah, it was a great shot. Just tried to put it into the bank and hope for the best, like most amateurs do.

“It was nice to see it roll up nice and close. He [Bramlett] was pretty much in for par so I was like, ‘Oh, I'll pick it up’ [but] he made me putt it because he's like, ‘It's going to be the greatest up-and-down’. So I finished it off nicely. It was a great shot. I can't really say much more.“

Analysing his shot further, he added, “I couldn't play it properly because there was a curb in front of me. In my practice swing I hit the curb. So I was like I have to really dig it. I put it back in my stance and hit it into the bank. So of course there was a lot of luck involved, don't get me wrong. But, yeah, the shot that I guess I tried to play and you need a bit of luck along the way.”

Gareth Bale

Image credit: Getty Images

However, the 33-year-old was more concerned about how his ball ended up in such a difficult lie.

“That's the worrying thing,” he recalled. “I didn't realise it was on a bit of a side slope and just kind of pushed it. The wind took it a bit more. It kicked off the bank on the side of the green and ended there. But amateurs are used to being there, so we've a lot more practice than the pros in those positions!”

Asked to rank the shot, he added: “It's on TV, so I guess it's right up there. I asked the cameraman, I walked up and said, 'Did you get that?' He was like, 'I did'. And I was like, 'Yes!' It was a good laugh. It was a fun day. Looking forward to two more fun days with an amazing group of people like we had today.”

Reflecting on the difference to the pressures he is used to from his football playing days for the likes of Real Madrid and Tottenham, Bale said, “I think every amateur will tell you, even though we're used to playing in front of 80,000 or more live on TV, it's a completely different sport.

“Like I said, outside your comfort zone and something that's just different. It's a cool experience. Lucky that I hit one of my best shots down the first fairway, which was nice.”

Bale, a two-handicapper, was also keen to take the opportunity to learn from his pro partner Bramlett.

“He's a world-class player. Just watching these players play, you can take things and just learn how they go about their business, how they do their process,” he said.

“Their demeanour and their focus is different from what we're used to, but similar to my profession. We have similar traits.”

After tackling the challenge of Spyglass, Bale and Bramlett move onto the Monterey Peninsula Country Club layout on Friday before taking on Pebble Beach Golf Links on Saturday.

A cut will be made after Saturday's round and 60 pros plus the 25 low pro-am teams will return to Pebble Beach Golf Links on Sunday.

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Berger reflects on his last-hole heroics at the 2021 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am

05/02/2023 at 08:48

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

'Obviously I didn't sign' - Fitzpatrick reveals hilarious Bale offer

00:01:12

|

02/02/2023 at 21:32

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Rahm blown away by Bale's golf ability - 'It's not fair'

25/01/2023 at 16:16