Ex-footballer told he could ‘turn pro’ in golf

Former world No.1 Lee Westwood has named one ex-footballer who has what it takes to become a professional golfer.

Westwood, who won multiple titles around the world, including 25 on the DP World Tour, will take charge of Team England at the Icon Series, in Thailand, this week.

The event will air live on Sky Sports this weekend, pitting Westwood’s country up against Team World – captained by the Englishman’s LIV colleague and Masters Champion Sergio Garcia.

While Westwood has several iconic former footballers on his side, including Paul Scholes, John Terry and Robbie Fowler, there is one other who has always caught his eye.

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That man is Premier League cult-hero turned YouTube star Jimmy Bullard.

Since retiring from his first sport in 2012, the 46-year-old has become one of the most recognised faces in the world of online golf. He regularly appears on the popular ‘Golf Life’ channel alongside Soccer Am’s Pete ‘Tubes’ Dale.

Now, the scratch handicapper will represent England on the golf course and Westwood has told The Mirror that he believes Bullard is one of the strongest players in the event.

“I have got some good players on my team, I’ve played with quite a few of them,” he said. “John Terry, he plays a lot and has a low handicap. Jimmy Bullard is in, he is class.”

In fact, he’s that good, Westwood claims he should give the seniors a go.

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“I said to Jimmy, I think he is about to turn 50, but if he put his mind to it, he could probably turn pro and compete on the Legends Tour for the European seniors.

“Technically he is really good, he flushes it. I like watching Jimmy hit it, he is a character.”

Bullard has teed it up in professional golf events before. Between 2014 and 2016, the former Wigan Athletic midfielder made five starts on the now defunct EuroPro Tour.

He finished 30th in one event on the Clutch Pro Tour last year and was set to take a shot at Open qualifying last year before being ruled out with an injury.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.