Gareth Bale’s golf ball gets stolen by a dog during Alfred Dunhill Links Championship pro-am tournament

Gareth Bale’s Golf Ball Stolen by a Dog During Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Pro-Am

Gareth Bale, retired football star and golf enthusiast, faced an unexpected challenge during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship pro-am tournament at Carnoustie, Scotland. The tournament, known for its tough conditions with unpredictable weather, tricky pot bunkers, and the thick, tall fescue grass, presented Bale with a completely unexpected obstacle in the form of a playful dog.
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The Incident on the Green

On Friday, during the second round of the tournament, Bale found himself in a rather humorous situation on the first hole. After hitting a perfectly executed chip shot that rolled smoothly toward the hole, setting him up for an easy putt, the game took an amusing turn. Just as Bale was preparing to sink the ball, a small dog bolted onto the green, grabbed the ball in its mouth, and ran back to its owner, leaving Bale and the nearby spectators in shock and laughter.

Despite the sudden interruption, there was no penalty against Bale, thanks to golf’s rulebook. According to Rule 9.6 of the United States Golf Association (USGA) handbook, if a ball is moved by an outside influence, such as an animal or another player, it must be replaced at its original spot without penalty. The rule states: “If it is known or virtually certain that an outside influence (including another player in stroke play or another ball) lifted or moved a player’s ball at rest, there is no penalty, and the ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated).”

With the ball restored to its original position, Bale continued his round without further issue.

Bale’s Strong Performance

Despite the playful interruption, Bale and his playing partner, professional golfer Dan Brown, managed to maintain their composure. The pair finished the day with a strong performance, carding a six-under-par score. This put them firmly in the running for the pro-am team title.

This isn’t the first time Bale has showcased his talent on the golf course. Earlier in 2024, he participated in the prestigious Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the PGA Tour in California, as well as the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth. His passion for golf, which became widely known during his football career, has only grown since his retirement from professional football.

Looking Ahead

As the tournament progresses, Bale and Brown now look toward the third round on Saturday. The top 20 teams from this round will advance to the final round, which is set to take place at the historic Old Course at St Andrews, one of the most famous golf courses in the world.

With Bale’s impressive skills and Brown’s professional experience, the duo will be hoping to secure their place in the final round and potentially contend for the pro-am team title in this prestigious tournament. The partnership has proven to be a strong one so far, and fans of both golf and football will be eager to see if Bale can add another impressive accomplishment to his post-football career.

Regardless of the outcome, the image of a dog stealing Gareth Bale’s golf ball will likely remain one of the more memorable moments of this year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.