Gareth Bale was playing for Team World against Team England in the Reignwood Icons of Football golf tournament at the Robinswood Golf Club in Bangkok, Thailand.
13:55, 03 Feb 2026Updated 15:01, 03 Feb 2026
Gareth Bale hit a wayward tee shot, striking a spectator in the process(Image: BBC)
Gareth Bale hit a wayward shot at a star-studded golf tournament in Thailand – hitting a spectator in the process.
Bale failed to make a hole-in-one during the Reignwood Icons of Football golf tournament and missed out on the chance to win £7.3million ($10million).
Bale would have pocketed almost £2.9million of that prize – with £2.2million going to a charity of a player’s choice. Three lucky winners from a prize draw of people who backed him to hit it before the tournament would have split the remaining £2.2million between themselves.
But in the act of playing the stroke, he pushed his shot – hit at 131 miles per hour – a bit too far right and into the stands, forcing a number of spectators to scatter.
After the former Wales skipper hit the shot off the tee, shouts of “fore right” can be heard, signalling to the crowd the ball was coming their way.
None of the 24 icons made the 181-yard par-three in one.
However, it was one of Bale’s fellow Team World players, Gabriel Batistuta, who claimed the “Nearest the Pin” title after his ball settled 11 feet 3 inches from the cup.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Bale’s 131mph drive never troubled the Argentine’s effort, as after hitting its 110-foot apex, his ball landed in one of the stands – packed full of fans – overlooking the green. Aaron Ramsey also had a go – but could not beat Batistuta.
Spectators scattered after the shot went into the stands (Image: BBC)
The two Welshman teamed up during the tournament, but Andy Cole and Jimmy Bullard secured a 3 Up victory for England. Bale and Batistuta had earlier earned a 2 Up win together against John Terry and Teddy Sheringham.
JOIN OUR WALES FOOTBALL FB PAGE! Get latest news, analysis and more on The Dragons
Ryan Giggs also played in the tournament, while his former Manchester United team-mate Paul Ince – and Robbie Fowler – made light work of Henrik Larsson and the Welshman with a 4 Up win.
However, he bounced back when paired with Nigel de Jong to play out a tie with Fowler and Phil Jagielka. Bale’s singles match-up with Bullard – both of whom were the only two scratch players involved – also ended in a draw, with the Welshman doing so from 4 Down at one stage.
Bale said after fighting back for half a point: “We said on the 18th tee, imagine how Shane Lowry felt [at the Ryder Cup]. Then we spoke about, in a football match in a final, in the last minute, they wouldn’t like to feel like that, so I guess they are in their comfort zone.
“People say to me; ‘Are you going to turn professional?’ You don’t understand how good these pros are; they need more respect than they get. I’m an okay club golfer. I love it as a hobby, but these guys are under the most serious pressure, toughest conditions. They are beyond belief.”
England won the tournament 20-19 to retain the inaugural title they won last year. Bale spoke bullishly before the tournament about wanting to get one over the reigning champions.
He said: “Is there anything better than beating England? As a Welshman, the only thing better than beating England is beating them badly.
“Let’s try to beat them. Hopefully, they are not lifting the trophy at the end of the week. Golf is a game of respect, but I want to win.”
Being dubbed an ‘Icon of Football’ also did not sit easily with Bale, who said: “I don’t call myself an icon. When people do call you that, it’s a bit strange.
“You go back to your childhood, and you’re watching the superstars play on TV, winning trophies and playing for the biggest clubs in the world. When you finish, you’re able to look back and see; ‘Oh, I actually did that’. It’s cool when somebody does say it – it gives you a nice feeling about what you achieved in your career.”