Former Premier League star Jimmy Bullard has backed up golf legend Colin Montgomerie’s belief that he could make it as a PGA pro, by hitting an impressive hole-in-one. The 46-year-old recently undertook a rigorous challenge where he was not allowed to leave the golf course until he hit the hole-in-one.
Bullard, along with former Soccer Am star Peter ‘Tubes’ Dale and his brother Andrew, run the popular Golf Life YouTube show where they took on the task. The ex-Wigan Athletic player frequently displays his skills on the channel, earning praise from all corners of the game. Bullard even had to withdraw from a qualifying event for The Open in 2024 due to back issues, demonstrating the high level of his golfing abilities. After several attempts, Bullard managed the extraordinary shot, leading to jubilant celebrations from the trio as the ball gently dropped into the hole.
With 42 wins to his name and a record of five Ryder Cup victories, Montgomerie is well-positioned to assess Bullard’s golfing talent. Montgomerie, 62, competes on the Champions Tour, formerly known as the Senior PGA Tour, which is open to players aged 50 and over.
Bullard’s love for the sport and evident skill with a golf club once led Montgomerie to suggest that the former Fulham midfielder could succeed on the PGA Tour, specifically on the senior circuit.
Montgomerie was quizzed on whether his rival had the potential to compete with seasoned golfers in a few years, considering Bullard will be 47 this year. Speaking on the Golf Life YouTube channel, the Scottish legend said: “That’s a good question.”
He continued: “Very little you have to work on. You’ve got great hands. You’ve got good speed. When you talk about 111, 112 miles an hour club head speed – that is PGA Tour stuff, never mind Champions Tour stuff.”
“So, you’ve got the speed. You’ve got the length. You know how to compete which is key – you want to compete. You want the challenge, don’t you? That’s what it is. You want the challenge, and you are good enough to compete. This is the first time I’ve played nine holes with you, and I’ve been very, very impressed.
“Very impressed with everything; the putting, and stroke is superb. What you’ve got in your hands… the educated hands we call it in our game. I tell you what, three years, what are you 47? Give it a bash. Give it a bash. I think you are [good enough]. I think you’d regret it if you didn’t.
“It would be fantastic for the viewers to watch and to see you competing against the likes of a Darren Clarke or a [Miguel Angel] Jimenez or an Ernie Els or a [Fred] Couples of [Steve] Stricker – well, hey, Tiger Woods? He’s 50 in December,” Montgomerie added.
He continued: “Now, imagine Tiger’s fit and fancies a shot at playing… and then the draw results pop up: Jimmy Bullard, Tiger Woods! Imagine those TV ratings… I’m telling you, you are plenty good enough to compete with the legends of the Champions Tour. Already. And that’s without the next three years of giving it loads of graft.”
Another golfing icon, Lee Westwood, also threw his support behind Bullard in February of this year. He said: “I said to Jimmy, I think he is about to turn 50, but if he put his mind to it he could probably turn pro and compete on the Legends Tour for the European seniors. Technically, he is really good. He flushes it. I like watching Jimmy hit it, he is a character.”
Between 2014 and 2016, Bullard made five appearances on the now-defunct EuroPro Tour, achieving his finest result with a tie for 22nd place.
He then made his return to professional golf last year, participating in a single-round tournament on the Clutch Pro Tour, where he secured a tie for 30th position amongst more than 100 competitors.
