GARETH BALE believes Wales are ready to host The Open for the first time.
has always been held by England, Scotland or Northern Ireland in its 153-year history.
Celtic Manor held the Ryder Cup in 2010 but Gareth Bale wants The Open to come to Wales for the first time at links course Royal PorthcawlCredit: Getty – Contributor
Bale is a golf nut and infamously held a banner ‘Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order’ after his country qualified for Euro 2020Credit: Sky Sports
But Welsh superstar Bale wants the most historic event in golf to be staged in his homeland at Royal Porthcawl.
Ex-footballer and scratch golfer Bale, 36, said: “I’d love for The Open to come to Wales. 100 per cent.
“We’ve had the Senior Open and the Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl.
“It’s definitely one of the best links courses in the world. And I definitely think it’s of a Major championship standard.
“If we could somehow make that happen, that would be incredible. It would be a massive feat for Wales to be able to host the Open.”
The Open has been held 98 times in Scotland, 52 in England and three times at Northern Ireland’s Royal Portrush, including last year’s tournament won by .
Royal Birkdale on Merseyside and The Old Course at St Andrews north of the border are the next two Open venues.
Ireland are in talks with the R&A group that runs the tournament about bringing it to Dublin’s Portmarnock in the future.
Royal Porthcawl Golf Club has already held The Senior Open and the Women’s OpenCredit: Crown Visit Wales
But former superstar Bale, Wales’ record goalscorer and most capped player, reckons the world’s best golfers would be in for a treat if the “gem” of Porthcawl can get the nod.
Bale, who was speaking ahead of last weekend’s which was staged in Bangkok, added: “I love everything about the course. Every hole is a little bit different.
“You have the view of the sea. It’s always in immaculate condition.
“It’s a test. It’s a tough test of golf. When the wind blows, it becomes seriously challenging. It has the status in the game of being an incredible course.
“There’s so many great players who have played it and rave about it. It’s a gem in Wales and one we’re very proud of.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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