<p>Former Real Madrid forward <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tag/gareth-bale" target="_blank">Gareth Bale </a>impressed on his PGA Tour debut on Thursday as he made a <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/gareth-bale-announces-retirement-from-football-1179368.html" target="_blank">swift switch from his glittering soccer career</a> into following his passion for golf.</p>.<p>Bale, who announced his retirement from soccer in January, made his golf debut at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California. The event runs from Feb. 2-5 and sees a number of celebrity players compete alongside some of the world's top golfers.</p>.<p>The 33-year-old Bale and professional partner Joseph Bramlett closed with a seven-under-par 65 to end tied 18th on the amateur leaderboard at the Spyglass Hill course.</p>.<p>American Hank Lebioda shot an eight-under-par 63 to lead the pro leaderboard while Britain's Harry Hall (64) is tied-second.</p>.<p>A highlight of Bale's first round was a recovery shot off a path to save par on the second hole, the <em>BBC </em>reported.</p>.<p>"It was a great shot," former Wales captain Bale said. "I tried to play it into the bank and hope for the best, as all amateur golfers would.</p>.<p>"It was nice to see it roll up nice and close. I finished it off nicely as well. I can't really say much more."</p>.<p>Bale, who became a global ambassador for the Royal and Ancient (R&A) in 2022, joined actor Bill Murray, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and rapper Mackelmore among the 156 amateurs taking part in the competition.</p>
<p>Former Real Madrid forward <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tag/gareth-bale" target="_blank">Gareth Bale </a>impressed on his PGA Tour debut on Thursday as he made a <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/gareth-bale-announces-retirement-from-football-1179368.html" target="_blank">swift switch from his glittering soccer career</a> into following his passion for golf.</p>.<p>Bale, who announced his retirement from soccer in January, made his golf debut at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California. The event runs from Feb. 2-5 and sees a number of celebrity players compete alongside some of the world's top golfers.</p>.<p>The 33-year-old Bale and professional partner Joseph Bramlett closed with a seven-under-par 65 to end tied 18th on the amateur leaderboard at the Spyglass Hill course.</p>.<p>American Hank Lebioda shot an eight-under-par 63 to lead the pro leaderboard while Britain's Harry Hall (64) is tied-second.</p>.<p>A highlight of Bale's first round was a recovery shot off a path to save par on the second hole, the <em>BBC </em>reported.</p>.<p>"It was a great shot," former Wales captain Bale said. "I tried to play it into the bank and hope for the best, as all amateur golfers would.</p>.<p>"It was nice to see it roll up nice and close. I finished it off nicely as well. I can't really say much more."</p>.<p>Bale, who became a global ambassador for the Royal and Ancient (R&A) in 2022, joined actor Bill Murray, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and rapper Mackelmore among the 156 amateurs taking part in the competition.</p>