Premier League, cricket and racing icons' handicaps revealed as Gareth Bale and John Terry play PGA Championship Pro-Am

GARETH BALE has been given a handicap of just 0.5 at the BMW PGA Championship Celebrity Pro-Am.

A host of famous faces are competing in the event - which got underway at Wentworth in Surrey on Wednesday.

And some of golf's biggest stars are also playing including Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose.

But among all of the celebrity amateurs taking part, newly-retired footballer Bale, 34, who will partner McIlroy, boasts one of the most impressive handicap - just half a shot off the pros.

Meanwhile, Chelsea legend John Terry will tee off alongside Fleetwood with a handicap of seven.

Legendary England cricketers Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson have been given handicaps of 6.9 and 2.6 respectively.

Kevin Pietersen is playing off 2.2, with fellow ex-cricketer Sir Andrew Strauss handed a 1.8.

Iconic jockey Sir AP McCoy will play off 12.3, while former Tottenham man Jermaine Jenas has been handed a handicap of 3.

But Spurs and Real Madrid legend Bale will almost certainly be one of the most accomplished celebrities at the event.

His golfing prowess was widely known during his football career, with some claiming he was more interested in teeing off than playing his own sport, despite winning three LaLiga titles and five Champions Leagues.

FREE BETS - BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS

However, Bale still had time to chat football before the Pro-Am as he discussed the meteoric rise of Real Madrid and England prodigy Jude Bellingham.

He said: "He's obviously had a great start at Madrid, he's scoring goals which is important especially at a club like that.

"To get off to a good start to life at Madrid is always important. He's doing well and hopefully he can keep doing Britain proud.

"The sky's his limit. If he keeps working hard and doing what he's the doing then like I said, the sky is the limit for him."