BALE IS SO GOOD AT GOLF IT’S NOT FAIR, SAYS RAHM

Gareth Bale, a former Real Madrid forward, has made no secret of his love of golf, and his game has received a ringing endorsement from one of the world’s best ahead of his debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California next month.

Bale, 33, ended his glittering soccer career earlier this month, sparking speculation that the Welshman might try to become a professional golfer.

When partnering Bale at the Farmers Insurance Open Pro-Am ahead of this week’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, Spaniard Jon Rahm was clearly impressed.

“I told Gareth you can’t be so good at professional football and golf at the same time,” Rahm, the 2021 U.S. Open champion, said. “You can’t be committed to one thing and have this much talent for golf at the same time.”

Bale’s love of golf frequently drew criticism while he was in Madrid, particularly after posing in front of a banner that read: ‘Wales. Madrid and golf. That is the order’.

Number three in the world Rahm stated that he couldn’t offer Bale any golf swing advice.

“He didn’t ask for anything, nor should he; he’s already good enough,” the 28-year-old explained. “As a professional football player, he has no business being that good.

“When he can actually practise more, he’s going to get a lot better. He only got two strokes in the Pro-Am, which I believe is incorrect. He should be returning strokes to the rest of the amateurs because he is a fantastic player.”

In the back garden of his Cardiff home, Bale has built three iconic golf holes: the 17th at Sawgrass, the Postage Stamp at Royal Troon, and the 12th at Augusta.

Last year, the two-handicap golfer and five-time Champions League winner became a global ambassador for the Royal and Ancient.