Gareth Bale took centre stage among a glittering roster of celebrities at the Wednesday BMW PGA Championship Celebrity Pro‑Am, while Rory McIlroy produced a dazzling 12‑under‑par 60. McIlroy's squad, featuring former Great Britain hockey star Sam Quek, ex‑England cricketer Stuart Broad and Formula 1 mechanic Calum Nicholas, dominated the morning Pro‑Am, pulling away by seven strokes to claim the top spot. Bale, who plays off a 1.1 handicap, was paired with a number of former football greats in the Pro‑Am, including Chelsea legends John Terry and Eden Hazard, as well as Liverpool icon Robbie Fowler. The group finished 15th overall with a combined 23‑under‑par total after sharing the course with Ludvig Åberg, cricket legend Brian Lara and former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Before his tee‑time, Bale spoke to Sky Sports News about Tottenham Hotspur’s recent form and the impact of manager Roberto De Zerbi. “Sometimes it takes a little time for a side to settle,” Bale said. “Roberto has shown he can produce attractive football. With a host of new signings arriving, I think they’ll start to click if we give them a bit of patience.” He added that Spurs now have the personnel to mount a serious European challenge next season, noting that the squad possesses the quality to lift the club to a higher level.

The afternoon session of the Pro‑Am ended in a tie. JJ Spaun’s team – comprising Amir Karimpour, Romain Peugeot and Kris Adams – matched the effort of Eugenio Chacarra’s side, which featured Chris Hawkins, Darren Hall and Alex Bentley. Both teams posted an impressive 36‑under‑par total, sharing the honours for the second‑half competition.

Reflecting on Manchester City’s recent derby victory, Hart praised the Citizens’ performance, calling it “exceptional” and suggesting they could pull away from Arsenal in the Premier League title race. “It was a strange game,” Hart told Sky Sports. “I don’t think Haaland’s goal should have counted, but the overall display was superb. It’s a vital win to start the season.” McLaren’s chief executive Zak Brown also took part in the Pro‑Am, teaming up with European Ryder Cup hero Justin Rose, who recently switched to McLaren‑branded golf clubs.

Their partnership secured a respectable fifth‑place finish in the afternoon round. McLaren driver Lando Norris joined Brown on the fairway, offering playful support. “I have to back my boss,” Norris joked.

“When you want something, you give something back. I was hoping to see him hit it out of bounds, but his tee shot was solid.” McIlroy, who had explained during Tuesday’s pre‑tournament press conference that he was still fine‑tuning elements of his swing, was in scintillating form on Wednesday. He posted a 60, a score that, while not official for the tournament, highlighted his current sharpness. The Pro‑Am format caps scores at par, meaning McIlroy’s lone bogey on the 16th hole was the only deviation from an otherwise flawless round.

For context, McIlroy’s personal best at the BMW PGA Championship is a 65, and his lowest ever round on the DP World Tour is a 62, recorded at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Championship. Fresh from a tied‑41st finish at the Amgen Irish Open, he opened his Pro‑Am round with a birdie on the third hole and an eagle on the fourth, then proceeded to string together eight consecutive birdies. Broad, commenting for Sky Sports Cricket, marveled at the display: “Rory was incredible – he was 10‑under through 11 holes. He didn’t miss a single putt.

I was joking, ‘He should wear the same clothes tomorrow, same ball.’ If he wants us to walk with him, he’s more than welcome!” Broad added, “He was in the zone on the front nine – calm, relaxed, completely in control.” The performance underscored McIlroy’s resurgence and hinted at a potential challenge for the main event title. The BMW PGA Championship continues to draw attention, with live coverage slated to begin Thursday at 7:30 am on Sky Sports Golf. Viewers can also stream the action via NOW with no‑contract options and stay updated on the latest Sky Sports promotions. The tournament promises further drama as the field narrows and contenders emerge, keeping golf fans worldwide on the edge of their seats.