World No.3 Ram Says "Bale's Golf Skills Are Amazing"

Playing Together at the Farmers Insurance Open Pro-Am

World No. 3 Jon Rahm (Spain) praised the golf skills of retired soccer star Gareth Bale (Wales).

The PGA Tour posted a photo on social media on the 25th (local time) showing Rahm and Bale posing together at the Farmers Insurance Open Pro-Am. Rahm wrote, "It's not easy to be good at both soccer and golf," adding, "This is unfair."

Gareth Bale (left) and Jon Rahm are posing for a commemorative photo at the Farmers Insurance Open Pro-Am. Photo by PGA Tour Twitter

Rahm and Bale played 9 holes alongside ESPN golf analyst Michael Collins and female golfer Tisha Alyn. Bale did not ask Rahm for any advice. Rahm said, "He doesn't have to ask me questions, but he didn't request anything," praising him by saying, "He's already excellent."

Bale is a soccer player who played for Southampton and Tottenham in England, and Real Madrid in Spain. At last year's Qatar World Cup, he captained Wales and participated in the finals for the first and last time in his career. Bale declared his retirement, saying, "I look forward and move on to the next stage of life," and "It will be a time of change and transition, as well as an opportunity for a new adventure."

Bale is a golf enthusiast. During his time at Real Madrid, he was criticized for playing golf even when he was unable to participate in matches due to injury. He loves golf so much that he built the signature 17th hole (par 3) of the PGA Tour's The Players Championship battleground, TPC Sawgrass, in his backyard. His personal best score is 67. Bale has also served as the host of a European Tour event held in Wales and acts as an ambassador for the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), the governing body of world golf.

Bale will also participate in the PGA Tour AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am held in Pebble Beach, California, starting from the 2nd of next month. This tournament features not only professional players but also amateur celebrities such as actors and stars from other sports. Bale will compete in the celebrity division.