PEBBLE BEACH – Spaniard Pau Gasol, the 7-foot-1 former ahead/middle who performed for 5 NBA groups earlier than retiring in 2019, has joined the all of the sudden internationally infused celeb subject of the AT&T Pebble Seashore Professional-Am .
Gasol, 42, who began taking part in golf in the course of the pandemic, is the thirtieth golfer within the lineup of notables within the 14th PGA Tour occasion of the 2022-23 season.
Earlier this week, Gareth Bale, 33, of Nice Britain, the newly retired soccer midfielder for Actual Madrid and Tottenham, was added to AT&T’s celeb roster.
Observe rounds start Monday within the match held at Pebble Seashore Golf Hyperlinks, Spyglass Golf Course and Monterey Peninsula Nation Membership (Shore Course). The 72-hole skilled championship begins on Thursday.
A member of the consecutive 2009 and 2010 Los Angeles Lakers championship groups, Gasol averaged 17.0 factors and 9.2 rebounds in 18 NBA seasons. Gasol is taken into account the longest entrant in AT&T historical past.
Final 12 months, South Africa’s James Hart du Preez joined Englishman Jon Thompson, each 6-9, because the tallest gamers to compete in a professional occasion. Du Preez made his PGA Tour debut on the American Categorical Championship. Thomson turned the tallest participant to compete in a significant championship on the 2021 British Open, the place he hit a hole-in-one.
“Golf got here into my life in the course of the lockdown,” Gasol not too long ago instructed Spanish publication Golf Circus. “With all of the restrictions on motion, golf was one of many few actions you would do.
“At a time once I wasn’t competing, it was like an emotional escape route. It was additionally a technique to join with nature a bit and it was a problem to be taught a brand new sport whereas the world was at a standstill because of the pandemic.”
Gasol has performed in different celeb and charity golf tournaments. Final July, he was a visitor on a YouTube channel broadcast by Random Golf Membership for 9 holes at Half Moon Bay Golf Hyperlinks. Through the video, Gasol was talked about as a participant with a handicap of 16.
Final September, Gasol was appointed ambassador of the Solheim Cup, the biennial workforce competitors between the perfect feminine professionals from Europe and the USA. It’s held in Malaga, Spain in September.
“The ultimate push that acquired me into golf got here from the confluence of three components,” Gasol mentioned in a press launch. “Throughout childbirth it was one of many few sports activities that might be performed, it coincided with my restoration from a foot harm and my spouse’s household has at all times performed golf, so I inspired myself.
“I used to be fairly unhealthy at it at first, it was irritating, however I did not quit. I began taking classes, I noticed the primary progress and now at any time when I can I attempt to play wherever I’m going.”
Bale, who has a three-hole course within the yard of his dwelling, performs to a 4 handicap. He’ll compete within the pro-am division of the Farmer’s Insurance coverage Open in La Jolla this week. Bale has been taking part in golf since early childhood. Bale gained 22 trophies in his soccer profession, together with 5 Champions League titles with Madrid and the MLS Cup with Los Angeles FC.
FOX Community broadcaster Bret Baier and Inexperienced Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers have additionally not too long ago joined the sphere of AT&T celeb.
Comic actor Invoice Murray, who first starred on AT&T greater than 30 years in the past, returns. Ray Romano, Jake Owen, Scott Eastwood, Chris O’Donnell and Kira Dixon are additionally celebrities.
