Gareth Bale admits suffering first-tee nerves but impresses at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Golf News

Gareth Bale admits he suffered with nerves ahead of his first appearance at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am; Bale impressed as one of 156 amateurs; coverage continues live on Saturday from 16.30 on Sky Sports Golf

Gareth Bale admitted he was filled with nerves ahead of his appearance at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Thursday, describing the experience as “getting out of my comfort zone”.

Bale, who was one of 156 amateurs taking part alongside 156 professionals, put on a good display, a great par saved from the greenside cart path in the second highlight when he hit the chip for three feet.

It was the former Real Madrid star’s first appearance at a PGA Tour event, and he said: “Yes of course (I was nervous).

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Gareth Bale found a bunker on the opening hole of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am but recovered with a par.

“I think every amateur will tell you that he’s out of his comfort zone, even though we’re used to playing in front of 80,000 or more live on TV. It’s a different sport.

“It’s just a different and fun experience, and I’m lucky to be able to shoot one of the best on a great first course.”

Bale has been paired with former Korn Ferry Tour Championship winner Joseph Bramlett for the first three rounds in California and is keen to get the professional golfer’s perspective.

“We met about a year ago and we’ve been talking for a year,” he said.

“I spoke to him last week, let’s prepare for this week. He had a good week last week and is a good player.

“He is a world-class player. Just watching him play, you can learn about him and how the business is and how the process works.

“It’s great to watch and pick up things, behaviors, focus.

“It’s different from what we used to do, but it’s the same as my profession. We have the same traits, so it’s great to play with him now.”

Indeed, that professional experience came in handy on the second hole when, instead of taking the ball, Bramlett made Bale putt for “the best ups and downs” and then went out.

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Recently retired, Gareth Bale reflects on his opening round at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and talks about his brilliant recovery on the second hole.

“I’m more worried about how I find myself [on the path] at the beginning, but I think a lot of amateurs are in that position,” said Bale.

“It was a good shot and I just tried to bank and hope for the best like amateurs do.

“It was good to see it roll up nice and close and it was pretty much under par so I was like ‘I’ll take it’ and he made me putt because he was like ‘this is going to be the most up.-and-down’.”

“I finished well and it was really good, I can’t say more.”

Watch the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am all week live on Sky Sports. Preliminary coverage continues on Friday from 4.30pm on Sky Sports Golf before full coverage from 8pm.

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