BMW PGA Championship: Gareth Bale headlines Celebrity Pro-Am as Rory McIlroy shoots 12-under 60 at Wentworth

Gareth Bale headlined a star-studded list of names at Wednesday's BMW PGA Championship Celebrity Pro-Am, as Rory McIlroy shot an outstanding 12-under 60.

McIlroy's team, which included former Great Britain hockey player Sam Quek, ex-England cricketer Stuart Broad and F1 mechanic Calum Nicholas, won the morning Pro-Am competition by seven strokes.

Bale, who has a handicap of 1.1, was joined in the Pro-Am by multiple other former footballers, including Chelsea greats John Terry and Eden Hazard, as well as Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler.

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Speaking to Sky Sports News prior to his tee time, Bale backed Tottenham Hotspur and Roberto De Zerbi to improve following a mixed period of form.

"Sometimes it takes a bit of time to get them to settle in," Bale said.

"The manager has shown he is capable of playing good football. A lot of new signings and hopefully they'll come good, given some time."

Bale said Spurs can "hopefully" challenge for a place in Europe next season, but added they now "have the players" that can help take the team to the next level.

Bale teed up with Ludvig Åberg, cricket icon Brian Lara and former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart. The group finished 15th in the Pro-Am event with a combined score of 23 under par.

The afternoon session would go on to finish tied, with JJ Spaun's team, which featured Amir Karimpour, Romain Peugeot and Kris Adams, tying Eugenio Chacarra's team, which included Chris Hawkins, Darren Hall and Alex Bentley, sharing the honours, with both sides finishing at 36 under par.

Reflecting on the Manchester derby last weekend, Hart branded City's performance "exceptional" and backed them to take Arsenal the distance in the Premier League title race.

"I think it was such a strange game," Hart told Sky Sports News. "I don't think Haaland's goal should have stood, but their performance was exceptional.

"It was a really important result to start the season."

McLaren F1 CEO Zak Brown also teed up in the Pro-Am on Wednesday.

He played alongside European Ryder Cup hero Justin Rose, who switched to use McLaren golf clubs earlier in the season. Their team would finish fifth in the afternoon session.

The F1 boss was also supported by McLaren driver Lando Norris.

"I have got to support my boss [Zak Brown], when you want something, you've got to give something back in return," Norris said.

"I'll give him some support and advice. He hit a good tee shot, which I was annoyed by. I wanted him to hit it out of bounds..."

'Incredible' McIlroy dazzles during Pro-Am

McIlroy, who explained he was "still working on elements of his swing" during his pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday, dazzled during Wednesday's Pro-Am, carding a remarkable 60.

While it was not an official tournament score, it beats his low score of 65 at the BMW PGA Championship, and his lowest-ever score on the DP World Tour, a 62, which he made at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Championship.

Fresh off the back of his tied-41st finish at the Amgen Irish Open, McIlroy was prolific, carding a birdie on the third and an eagle on the fourth hole, before following up with eight consecutive birdies.

"Rory McIlroy was incredible; he was 10-under through 11," Sky Sports Cricket's Broad said.

"He didn't miss any putts, and I was joking with him, saying: 'He's got to wear the same clothes tomorrow, same ball'. If he wants us to walk around with him, he's more than welcome!

"He looked in the zone on that front nine. Very calm, relaxed."

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