Gareth Bale confirms PGA Tour debut two weeks after retirement
Gareth Bale has confirmed he will make his golf debut at a PGA Tour event two weeks after retiring from professional football.
The 33-year-old called time on his playing career in January after representing Wales at their first World Cup finals since 1958.
He scored their only goal at the tournament, a penalty in a 1-1 draw against the USMNT in their opening Group B game. Ironically, Bale's final club was Major League Soccer outfit LAFC.
Supporters have speculated what the ex-winger will get up to now he's got lots of time on his hands. He's not been afraid to show his love of golf, which caused controversy at his former club Real Madrid.
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If you were one of the many to joke he'll try his hand at golf well, how does it feel to be the smartest person in the room?
The five-time Champions League winner shocked fans on Monday evening by taking to Instagram and confirming his involvement in next month's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Held at Pebble Beach, California, the four-day event boasts a whopping $9 million (£7.3m) prize. You get the feeling Bale isn't entering for the money but because he fancies a go. Fair play.
Along with a picture of himself teeing off, Bale said: "Delighted to announce I will be playing in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at the start of next month! Let's go."
Up to 156 pro golfers will take part in the event across Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Monterey Peninsula Country Club.
Other celebrities will be in attendance, including actor Bill Murray and musician Macklemore. Bale's likely got the athletic edge on those two, whatever that counts for in golf.
He's got a three-hole golf course at his house in Wales, with the holes styled after holes at three of the world's best golf venues.
Bale unveiled a banner which read 'Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order' during his time in the Spanish capital.
It damaged his relationship with the Los Blancos faithful to almost unsalvageable levels. He spent the following year on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, who he left for Real in 2013.
In a statement confirming his retirement, Bale said: "After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football.
"I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love. It has truly given me some of the best moments of my life. The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me."
Topics: Gareth Bale, Football, Golf
Daniel Marland