Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast earlier this year, Mcllroy said: "I’ve played with Teddy Sheringham – good player. Gareth Bale – he has the potential to get to scratch [a handicap of zero], the way he hits the ball he could be a scratch player, but he’s only played for the last few years.

Rory McIlroy is in action at this week's BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth, and is involved in a stellar Pro-Am group alongside former footballer Gareth Bale

Former Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale will play alongside Rory McIlory at the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am on Wednesday at Wentworth. The ex-Wales international, who has played golf alongside his football career,