Novak Djokovic and Gareth Bale star as Team Monty win Ryder Cup celebrity all-star match in Rome

Team Monty beat Team Pavin in the Ryder Cup celebrity all-star match at Marco Simone Golf Club; Team Europe will look to regain the Ryder Cup against Team USA live on Friday from 6am on Sky Sports Golf

By Ali Stafford in Rome

Tennis star Novak Djokovic had a hole to forget on the 15th during the Ryder Cup All Star Match in Rome as he found thick rough and then the crowd at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club

Novak Djokovic and Gareth Bale both impressed as Team Monty claimed an impressive 7-4 victory over Team Pavin in the Ryder Cup celebrity all-star match in Rome.

Djokovic, who won a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title earlier this month at the US Open, swapped the tennis racket for his golf clubs to feature in a special event at Marco Simone Golf Club ahead of the biennial contest between Europe and USA on Friday.

The Serbian partnered G4D Tour (golf for the disabled) star Kirk Popert to a 3-1 victory over F1 driver Carlos Sainz and Italian G4D golfer Tommaso Perrino, with the match one of three taking place across the course.

Gareth Bale gives Novak Djokovic a golf lesson ahead of the Ryder Cup All-Star match at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Djokovic initially walked out to the first tee with a tennis racket before switching to the driver, with the world No 1 producing a shot of the day contender when he managed to drive the green from an advanced tee at the par-four 16th.

"This is sporting greatness," Djokovic jested as his ball stopped on the green. "I was going to play safe but the crowd made me do it. "It was one of the best shots I've ever hit. I've never played golf in front of this many people, so considering my level I think I've played quite well."

Advertisement
Novak Djokovic drove the green at the par four 16th hole at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome during the Ryder Cup All Star Celebrity Match

Bale partnered team captain Colin Montgomerie in the seven-hole event, with the pair winning 2-1 against Corey Pavin and former professional footballer Andriy Shevchenko.

The other match saw content creator Garett Hilbert and surfer Leonardo Firoavanti drew 2-2 with Hollywood actress Kathryn Newton and former NFL star Victor Cruz.

Also See:

Novak Djokovic is hoping he won't need his special tennis racket clubs from his bag as he competes in the Ryder Cup All-Star match

What's next?

Sky Sports will have five shows on Thursday, showing live coverage from the Junior Ryder Cup at 9.30am - also live by signing in on the Sky Sports Golf website and app - ahead of the Live from the Ryder Cup show at 12.30pm.

Luke Donald and Zach Johnson will reveal their foursomes' pairings during the opening ceremony, live from 3pm on Sky Sports Golf, with more Live from the Ryder Cup at 4pm and then an extended preview show at 7pm.

Live coverage from the opening day of the Ryder Cup begins on Friday from 6am on Sky Sports Golf. There's also live content each day in the build-up to the tournament. Stream the PGA Tour, DP Tour, Ryder Cup and more with NOW.

Sky Sports' Ali Silk has everything you need to know about the match play format and the points-scoring system for the Ryder Cup.
Outbrain