Gareth Bale was the headline name among a glittering roster of celebrities at the Wednesday BMW PGA Championship Celebrity Pro‑Am, while Rory McIlroy delivered a spectacular 12‑under‑par round of 60. McIlroy’s squad, which featured former Great Britain field‑hockey star Sam Quek, former England cricketer Stuart Broad and Formula 1 mechanic Calum Nicholas, dominated the morning Pro‑Am competition, finishing seven strokes clear of the nearest rivals.
Bale, who carries a 1.1 handicap, was paired with several other ex‑footballers, including Chelsea legends John Terry and Eden Hazard, as well as Liverpool icon Robbie Fowler. When asked by Sky Sports News before his tee‑off, Bale voiced confidence in Tottenham Hotspur and manager Roberto De Zerbi, suggesting that a period of adjustment was simply part of the rebuilding process.
“Sometimes it takes a bit of time for a team to settle,” he said. “The manager has shown he can produce attractive football.
With a host of new signings arriving, I think they’ll start to click if they’re given a little patience.” Bale added that Spurs now possess the personnel required to mount a European‑qualification push next season, noting that the squad “has the players to take the club to the next level.” The Pro‑Am leaderboard was a rolling showcase of cross‑sport camaraderie. In the afternoon session the field split evenly, 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 teams posted a combined 36‑under‑par total, sharing the top honours for the second round. Bale’s own group for the morning round consisted of Ludvig Åberg, cricket legend Brian Lara and former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart. Their trio finished 15th overall with a collective 23‑under‑par score. After reflecting on Manchester City’s recent derby victory, Hart praised the Citizens’ performance as “exceptional” and predicted they could keep Arsenal at bay in the Premier League title race.
“It was a strange game,” Hart told Sky Sports. “I don’t think Haaland’s goal should have stood, but the overall display was superb. It’s a vital win to start the season.” The event also attracted motorsport royalty. McLaren F1 chief executive Zak Brown joined the Pro‑Am alongside European Ryder Cup hero Justin Rose, who recently switched to McLaren‑branded clubs.
Their partnership secured a respectable fifth‑place finish in the afternoon session. Brown was further supported by McLaren driver Lando Norris, who joked about returning the favor to his boss. “When you want something, you have to give something back,” Norris said.
“I gave him a bit of advice after his tee shot—wanted him to hit it out of bounds, just for fun!” McIlroy, who admitted during Tuesday’s pre‑tournament press conference that he was still fine‑tuning elements of his swing, was in scintillating form on Wednesday. He recorded a 60‑stroke round, though it is important to note that Pro‑Am scores are not counted as official tournament results and the format does not record any scores above par; McIlroy made a single bogey on the 16th hole. His personal best at the BMW PGA Championship stands at 65, while his lowest ever round 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 unleashed a flurry of birdies and an eagle early in his round, posting a birdie on the third hole, an eagle on the fourth, and then stringing together eight consecutive birdies. “Rory was unbelievable—he was ten‑under through the first eleven holes,” commented Sky Sports’ cricket analyst Stuart Broad. "He didn’t miss a single putt.
I even joked that he should wear the same clothes and use the same ball tomorrow. If he wants us to walk the course with him, he’s more than welcome! He was completely in the zone on the front nine—calm, relaxed, and razor‑sharp." The BMW PGA Championship continues to draw attention from sports fans across disciplines, with live coverage scheduled throughout the week on Sky Sports Golf starting Thursday at 7:30 am. Viewers can also stream the action via NOW without a contract, taking advantage of the latest Sky Sports deals.
Overall, the Celebrity Pro‑Am highlighted the intersection of football, cricket, motorsport and golf, showcasing how athletes from diverse backgrounds can share a love for the game. Bale’s endorsement of Tottenham’s rebuilding, Hart’s praise for Manchester City, and McIlroy’s near‑record performance all contributed to a memorable day on the course, setting the tone for the competitive rounds to follow in the BMW PGA Championship.