Gareth Bale took centre stage among a glittering roster of celebrities at the BMW PGA Championship Celebrity Pro‑Am on Wednesday, while Rory McIlroy dazzled the crowd with a spectacular 12‑under‑par 60. McIlroy’s squad, which featured former Great Britain hockey star Sam Quek, former England cricketer Stuart Broad and Formula 1 mechanic Calum Nicholas, dominated the morning Pro‑Am, finishing seven strokes clear of the nearest rivals.
Bale, who plays off a 1.1 handicap, was paired with several other ex‑footballers for the event, including Chelsea legends John Terry and Eden Hazard, as well as Liverpool icon Robbie Fowler. In a pre‑round interview with Sky Sports News, Bale offered his thoughts on Tottenham Hotspur’s recent form and the influence of manager Roberto De Zerbi. “Sometimes a team needs a little time to settle,” he said. “Roberto has shown he can produce attractive football, and with the influx of new signings I think the squad will start to click if we give them a bit of patience.” Bale added that Spurs now possess the talent to mount a European campaign next season, noting that the club “has the players to take us to the next level.” The afternoon session of the Pro‑Am saw a tight finish, with JJ Spaun’s team – comprising Amir Karimpour, Romain Peugeot and Kris Adams – tying Eugenio Chacarra’s side, which included Chris Hawkins, Darren Hall and Alex Bentley.
Both groups posted a combined 36‑under‑par, sharing the top honors for the second round. Bale’s own group, which included Swedish rising star Ludvig Åberg, cricket legend Brian Lara and former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, posted a respectable 15th‑place finish with a combined 23‑under‑par. After the Manchester derby, Hart praised City’s performance as “exceptional” and predicted they would keep Arsenal in the title race.
“It was a strange game,” Hart told Sky Sports. “I don’t think Haaland’s goal should have counted, but the team’s display was outstanding and a vital early‑season win.” McLaren’s Formula 1 chief Zak Brown also took part in the Pro‑Am, teaming up with Ryder Cup veteran Justin Rose, who recently switched to McLaren‑branded clubs, and finishing fifth in the afternoon round. Lando Norris, the young McLaren driver, chimed in about supporting his boss: “When you want something, you have to give something back. I tried to give Zak a little push on his tee shot – I wanted him to go out of bounds!” McIlroy, who admitted during Tuesday’s pre‑tournament press conference that he was still fine‑tuning aspects of his swing, delivered a masterclass on the morning course.
His 60, while not an official tournament score, eclipsed his previous best of 65 at the same event and beat his career‑low on the DP World Tour – a 62 recorded at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Championship. Fresh from a tied‑41st finish at the Amgen Irish Open, McIlroy opened with a birdie on the third hole and an eagle on the fourth, then proceeded to string together eight straight birdies.
Broad, who also works as a commentator for Sky Sports Cricket, marveled at McIlroy’s performance: “Rory was unbelievable – he was ten‑under through eleven holes. He didn’t miss a single putt. I joked that he should wear the same clothes and use the same ball tomorrow if he wants us to walk around with him. He was in the zone on the front nine, calm and relaxed.” The Pro‑Am highlighted the growing crossover between sport and entertainment, with athletes from football, cricket, hockey and motorsport sharing the fairways.
It also underscored the prestige of the BMW PGA Championship, a cornerstone event on the DP World Tour calendar that attracts both elite professionals and high‑profile amateurs. Looking ahead, the main tournament will continue throughout the week, with live coverage on Sky Sports Golf beginning Thursday at 7:30 a.m. Viewers can also stream the action via NOW without a contract, taking advantage of Sky Sports’ promotional offers.
Fans eager to follow the competition can stay updated on leaderboards for the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, LIV Golf, DP World Tour, Ladies European Tour and major championships. Additional storylines include Matt Fitzpatrick’s concerns about DP World Tour playoff events in the Middle East, the scheduling shift for the 2027 BMW PGA Championship due to the Ryder Cup, and a recent video release showing Tiger Woods back on the course for the first time since his March car accident. Overall, the BMW PGA Championship Pro‑Am delivered a blend of high‑octane sport, celebrity intrigue and memorable performances, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting week of world‑class golf.