The victorious team, spearheaded by Professional Niklas Norgaard (Den) (second from left), which included Gareth Bale (second from right), triumphed in the Tuesday Pro-Am curtain raiser for the $9 million Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Abu Dhabi.
Niklas Norgaard (Den) and his team, comprising Gareth Bale (Wales), Mohamed Abdall Al Zaabi (25), and Liam Findlay (22), shot a remarkable round of 35 under par. The format, titled 'Par is your Friend,' involved all players teeing off, with the best drive selected, and all three amateurs playing from that spot, while the pro always played his own ball. Fourteen teams participated in this two-tee start format.
The winning team achieved nines of 19 under and 16 under, edging out the DP World Tour Team 2, captained by Guido Migliozzi (It), by a single shot. Norgaard, 32, boasts four professional tour wins, including three in the Nordic Golf League and the 2024 Betfred British Masters. Bale, the 35-year-old former Welsh football star, who plays off a +.1 handicap, is a member of both Wentworth and Queenwood. Bale shared with Khaleej Times: 'I have played at Yas Links Abu Dhabi before – it is a really good golf course. I have also been in Dubai – but not for golf – just training.'
Indian cricket legend Yuvraj Singh also took part, playing off a 10 handicap with pro-Yannik Paul (Ger), who finished in tied ninth. The second Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Pro-Am is scheduled for Wednesday, with tee times from 7.30 am to 9.30 am off both the 1st and 10th tees, featuring 25 teams.
Results (Par 72): Team N. Norgaard (Miral) 35 under. Team G. Migliozzi (DP World Tour 2) 34 under. Team A. Otaegui (Emirates Golf Federation) 32 under. Team K. Nakajima (DP World Tour 4) 28 under. Team R. Langasque (DP World) 28 under. Team D. Bradbury (Genesis 1) 28 under.
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