Andy Murray

Andy Murray and other Celebrity Golfers

For much of the last 20 years tennis fans have enjoyed a golden era, with three of the greatest players of all time frequently going head-to-head. Andy Murray wasn’t quite up there with Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic but for a long time he was very much the best of the rest. The Scot won three Grand Slam titles but made it to 11 finals in total and also won two Olympic golds. What’s more, for a brief time at least, he had the better of the big three, ascending to world number one in November 2016 and staying there for 41 weeks.

Of the four players mentioned Federer and Murray have retired, with Nadal set to follow in November 2024. Djokovic plays on but for the others, it is time to do a bit of punditry, coaching, or maybe just put their feet up and relax, piling on the pounds eating cheeseburgers. Well, maybe not!

Andy Murray, still as competitive as ever and still physically fit for most things in life aside from top-level tennis – despite his many documented injuries – seems to have taken quite a shine to golf.

Photo credit: Nenortas Photography, flickr

Murray’s Nerves at BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am

Murray, who recently changed his X bio to “I played tennis. I now play golf.” made his first big public golf appearance at the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am in September. Playing at Wentworth with fellow Scot and current world number 16 Robert MacIntyre, Murray admitted he was so nervous he “couldn’t really feel my arms and legs”.

The two Scots were in a foursome with English cricket’s greatest-ever bowler, Jimmy Anderson, and Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton De Beke. Murray noted that the latter was “the entertainer out there” whilst Jimmy “can hit the ball miles”. Murray acquitted himself well and his natural sporting ability is evidenced by his handicap of seven, despite limited playing time.

He hopes to get down to scratch – don’t we all? – and is already making good progress. He’s having lessons, playing more regularly and even won a competition just a month after his Wentworth appearance. The two-time Wimbledon champion came out on top at the first-ever BTJA (British Tennis Journalists’ Association’s) Mike Dickson Golf Day. Ryder Cup hero MacIntyre has been helping him out with his game too and said, “I was very impressed with his game. He’ll be scratch in no time.”

Golf the Sport for Celebs

Bill Murray
Bill Murray has often taken part in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Credit: Paul Sherwood, flickr

As Murray’s Wentworth fourball shows, he is far from the only famous person to be keen on a game of golf. Golf has historically been a game that confers status but more than that, is highly addictive due to the fact that even a relative beginner can occasionally produce moments of magic. Throw in the often-stunning scenery, fresh air, gentle exercise and social aspect of the game and it is easy to see why it is so popular – with everyone, really, but naturally including the rich and famous.

Over the years a whole host of stars have played golf at a reasonable level and there are many notable examples. Such players are often seen at the biggest pro-am of them all, held at Pebble Beach and currently sponsored by AT&T. That event at the wonderfully scenic course in California – conveniently located within a short private jet or limo ride from the bright lights of LA – sees stars from stage, screen, sport, music and more line up.

Bing Crosby was the man behind it all in the early years, whilst more recently we have seen a high number of current and former NFL stars taking to the fairway. Those include Tom Brady, former 49ers star Steve Young, Bills QB Josh Allen, Jets star Aaron Rodgers and many more. Legendary actor Bill Murray has been a regular over the years, whilst other actors include the iconic Clint Eastwood, plus Ray Romano and Jason Bateman. Musicians such as Macklemore and Justin Timberlake have featured too.

Wales, Golf, Madrid, In That Order

Those were the words emblazoned on a Welsh flag that Gareth Bale and his Welsh teammates laughingly held aloft after they had secured qualification for Euro 2020. The Welsh star is another who has played at Pebble Beach and his love of the sport is very well known.

Bale didn’t play all that much football towards the end of his career but he certainly put the time in when it comes to golf. Real Madrid were not at all happy about the flag incident but in truth, it was quite possibly a fair reflection of Bale’s priorities at the time.

Bale’s game has always been good and his swing is impressive, but the former Spurs star is now down to very low single figures. Like Murray, he too played at Wentworth in September and was given a handicap of just 0.5. In January Rory McIlroy said the ex-footballer could easily get down to scratch, or even better, and just needed to work on his course management, saying his ball-striking was not an issue.

Many other top footballers have played golf over the years, with the free time the former sport allows fitting nicely with a game of golf in the afternoon. John Terry was another who appeared at the BMW PGA Championship, where he played with Tommy Fleetwood. Terry plays off about seven and was joined in the line-up by Theo Walcott and Ben Foster.

Cricketers Also Partial to a Game

As we have said, James Anderson also played in that tournament but he is certainly not the only current or former cricketer to like a game. Yorkshire and England star Johnny Bairstow famously suffered a terrible leg break playing golf. He had been in superb form with the bat but slipped on course and broke his leg, also dislocating his ankle.

A similarly powerful hitter of the ball from days gone by, Ian Botham is also a keen cricketer (as well as having been a very good footballer) and plays off single figures. Australian Ricky Ponting is also exceptional, playing off low single figures, with Kevin Pietersen, Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan and many others all very keen.

Too Many to List

There are simply far too many celebrities to even scratch – pun intended – the surface when it comes to those who have been bitten by the golf bug. From NBA great Stephen Curry to rocker Alice Cooper, from newsreader Naga Munchetty to Hollywood superstar Mark Wahlberg, and from Samuel L. Jackson to the basketball GOAT Michael Jordan, there are just so many high-level stars who love the game. OK, Naga might not quite be up there with Michael Jordan but she certainly loves golf!