CNN
,
Few people coming to watch the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Thursday will be surprised to learn that former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale is good at Golf.
After all, the Welshman made no secret of his love for the game during his illustrious football career time called In January.
Still, how natural the former Tottenham Hotspur and Real forward looks on the fairways has left many in awe after an impressive first round performance on his PGA Tour debut in California.
Playing with fellow professional Joseph Bramlett, Bell carded a seven-under 65 on the extremely challenging Spyglass Hill course and finished five shots behind the leading Pro-Am pairing, Tom Dundon, owner of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, and American pro golfer Will Gordon. are.
As a five-time Champions League winner and one of the most successful players of his generation, Bale is no stranger to the big stages. Just three months ago, he was the captain of his country in the Qatar World Cup.
But the 33-year-old, who plays to two handicaps, admitted to some jitters standing on the first tee on Monday.
“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 game,” Bell told Sky Sports.
“Outside your comfort zone and into something completely different. It’s a good experience.
However, Bell’s opening tee shot looked wacky – a brilliant effort that found the green and spun back towards the hole, allowing him to pare his round.
Yet the tremendous highlight of the Welshman’s round occurred on the latter hole when Bell was given a drop on the drive way close to the green.
Facing an awkward route over a curb, Bell sent a ricocheting shot bouncing off the bank and onto the green, the ball traveling to within four feet of the hole for a par-saving putt.
In this moment, Bell’s first thought was that nearby cameras had captured the effort. On reflection after his round, the first thing that came to his mind was why he had to play that shot in the first place.
Bell said, “I was more worried than ever about how I was there, but I think a lot of amateurs find themselves out of position.”
“It was a great shot. Just tried to bank it and hope for the best, as most amateurs do. It was nice to see it rolling nice and close.
“It was a day of fun. We look forward to two more fun days with an amazing group of people like today.
Bell’s exploits would have come as no surprise to world No. 3 Jon Rahm, who praised the former footballer’s golfing skills after the pair played a round together last month.
“I told Gareth, ‘You can’t be so good at professional football and golf at the same time, it doesn’t seem fair’,” Rahm said.
“Can’t be devoted to one thing and have so much talent for golf, it’s not fair in the slightest.”
Among the other biggest celebrity names on the star-studded 156-player field, Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers is two shots off the lead after carding a 10-under 62 with pro partner Ben Silverman. The event also featured actors Jason Bateman and Bill Murray, as well as rapper Macklemore.
American Hank Labioda leads the professional leaderboard after shooting an eight-under 63, one shot clear of compatriots Kurt Kitayama and Chad Ramsey as well as England’s Harry Hall.