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Djokovic, Bale star in Ryder Cup celebrity match

Sports | Golf

Djokovic, Bale star in Ryder Cup celebrity match

By Agence France-Presse

At A Glance

Djokovic and Bale's team, led by Ryder Cup icon Colin Montgomerie, came out on top in the contest against Corey Pavin's outfit.

ROME (AFP) -- Novak Djokovic and Gareth Bale played seven holes on the Ryder Cup course during a celebrity match on Wednesday, Sept. 27, with the tennis star enjoying the "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

(From left to right) Member of Dude Perfect, Garrett Hilbert, English golfer with a disablility, Kipp Popert, Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, unknown, Former Welsh footballer Gareth Bale, Former European Ryder Cup captain, Colin Montgomerie and Italian surfer Leonardo Fioravanti pose with the trophy on the 18th green after the All-Star match played ahead of the 44th Ryder Cup at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome on Wednesday, Sept. 27. (AFP)

Djokovic and Bale's team, led by Ryder Cup icon Colin Montgomerie, came out on top in the contest against Corey Pavin's outfit.

"It's a great honor, I want to thank the Ryder Cup for giving me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity... it's a unique experience," said Djokovic, who won a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open earlier this month.

His highlight at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club was driving through the par-four 16th green.

"The crowd made me do it and I'm really happy they did," added Djokovic, who played alongside disability golf world number one Kipp Popert.

Former footballer Bale, who was often criticized by fans for playing too much golf while at Real Madrid, won his match alongside Montgomerie against the Scot's fellow 2010 Ryder Cup captain Pavin and AC Milan attacking great Andriy Shevchenko.

"It (playing golf) is similar to a free-kick, to a penalty. I was a free-kick taker... So it definitely helps," said Bale.

Actor Kathryn Newton, former Super Bowl winner Victor Cruz and Formula One driver Carlos Sainz also took part.

Related Tags

Novak Djokovic Ryder Cup

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