Gareth Bale took centre stage among a glittering roster of celebrities at the Wednesday BMW PGA Championship Celebrity Pro‑Am, while Rory McIlroy delivered a sensational 12‑under‑par 60. The event, which blends professional golfers with athletes from other sports, showcased a mix of seasoned competitors and high‑profile personalities, all vying for a share of the prize and bragging rights. McIlroy headed a formidable squad that featured former Great Britain field‑hockey star Sam Quek, ex‑England cricketer Stuart Broad and Formula 1 mechanic Calum Nicholas. Their teamwork proved decisive, as they dominated the morning Pro‑Am round, finishing seven strokes clear of the nearest rivals.
The trio’s impressive performance underscored McIlroy’s continued dominance in the pro‑am format, even though the scores are not counted toward official tournament statistics. Bale, who boasts a handicap of 1.1, was accompanied by several other retired footballers, including Chelsea legends John Terry and Eden Hazard, as well as Liverpool icon Robbie Fowler. The football contingent added a festive atmosphere to the event, with fans eager to see their heroes swing clubs alongside golf professionals.
Bale’s presence also drew attention to his recent comments about Tottenham Hotspur, where he expressed optimism about the club’s future under manager Roberto De Zerbi. "Sometimes it takes a bit of time for a team to settle in," Bale told Sky Sports News before his tee‑time. "The manager has shown he can produce attractive football, and with a slew of new signings, I think they’ll start delivering results if given a little patience." He added that Spurs now possess the talent needed to mount a serious challenge for a European competition place next season. The Pro‑Am field also included Ludvig Åberg, cricket legend Brian Lara and former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, who together finished 15th with a combined 23‑under‑par score.
In the afternoon session, the competition tightened, culminating in a tie between JJ Spaun’s team—featuring Amir Karimpour, Romain Peugeot and Kris Adams—and Eugenio Chacarra’s side, which included Chris Hawkins, Darren Hall and Alex Bentley. Both groups posted identical totals of 36‑under‑par, sharing the top honours for the second round.
Joe Hart, reflecting on Manchester City’s recent derby win, praised the team’s performance as "exceptional" and predicted they would continue to push Arsenal in the Premier League title race. "It was a strange game, and I don’t think Haaland’s goal should have stood, but overall the performance was outstanding. It’s a crucial early‑season victory," Hart told Sky Sports. The Pro‑Am also attracted motorsport personalities.
McLaren F1 CEO Zak Brown teamed up with European Ryder Cup star Justin Rose, who has recently switched to McLaren‑branded clubs. Their partnership secured a respectable fifth‑place finish in the afternoon session.
McLaren driver Lando Norris also joined the fray, offering support to his boss. "When you want something, you give something back," Norris quipped, adding humor about Brown’s tee shot that he hoped would go out of bounds. Rory McIlroy, who admitted during Tuesday’s pre‑tournament press conference that he was still fine‑tuning elements of his swing, turned heads with his 60‑stroke round.
Although the Pro‑Am does not record scores worse than par, McIlroy’s only blemish was a bogey on the 16th hole. His best score at the BMW PGA Championship remains a 65, while his career‑low on the DP World Tour is a 62, achieved at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Championship. Fresh off a tied‑41st finish at the Amgen Irish Open, McIlroy displayed a blistering stretch of play, birdieing the third hole, eagleing the fourth, and then stringing together eight consecutive birdies.
"Rory was incredible; he was 10‑under through 11 holes," commented Sky Sports’ cricket analyst Stuart Broad. "He didn’t miss a single putt and seemed completely in the zone.
I joked that he should wear the same clothes and use the same ball tomorrow if he wants us to walk with him." The event also featured several promotional messages encouraging viewers to watch via Chrome for a better video experience. Sky Sports highlighted that live coverage of the BMW PGA Championship would continue throughout the week, beginning Thursday at 7:30 am on Sky Sports Golf, with streaming options available on NOW without a contract.
Overall, the BMW PGA Championship Pro‑Am offered a unique blend of sport, entertainment and charity, bringing together football legends, cricket stars, motorsport executives and top‑tier golfers. The camaraderie on the fairways, combined with the high‑level performances—especially McIlroy’s near‑record round—provided fans with memorable moments and a glimpse of the competitive spirit that carries over into the main tournament.
As the championship progresses, spectators can look forward to more thrilling golf, insightful commentary, and perhaps another surprise low score from the sport’s biggest names.