Reignwood Icons of Football: Team England hold narrow lead over Team World after opening day
Team England hold one-point lead over Team World after day one of Reignwood Icons of Football; Ryder Cup-style team event sees former footballers compete at golf for Team England vs Team World; Coverage continues on Sunday from 1am on Sky Sports Golf
Saturday 31 January 2026 12:51, UK
Team England lead Team World 8½ – 7½ after the opening day of action in the Reignwood Icons of Football at Robinswood Golf Club in Bangkok.
Team England had a narrow 4½ -3½ lead after the morning Fourballs, Robbie Fowler and Paul Ince giving them the dream start with a 4 Up victory over Ryan Giggs and Henrik Larsson.
However, Team World hit back as John Arne Riise and Gianfranco Zola fought to beat Phil Jagielka and Jermaine Jenas and put Thomas Bjørn's side on the scoreboard.
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In the standout clash of the opening session, Gareth Bale and Gabriel Batistuta were in sensational form for Team World, trading birdies throughout the round, one of which from Bale on the final green sealed a 2 Up win over John Terry and Teddy Sheringham.
Meanwhile, the clash between Jimmy Bullard and Lee Sharpe and Andriy Shevchenko and Dwight Yorke ended in a hard-fought tie after bucketloads of birdies from both pairings.
England entered the afternoon Greensomes with a one-point cushion and managed to maintain it to make Sunday look an enthralling day with the trophy up in the air.
Team World came out swinging and Ruud Gullit and David Ginola secured a commanding 4 Up victory over England's Theo Walcott and Joe Hart.
With the pressure on, the matches got increasingly close and tense and with it, two matches ended in ties between Jenas/Terry and Zola/Bautista and the clash of Jagielka/Fowler against Giggs/De Jong.
The statement performance of the afternoon came from Ince and Phil Jones who secured an incredible 7 Up win over John Arne Riise and Henrik Larsson.
Then, Team England stepped it up again as Jimmy Bullard and Andy Cole overcame the standout Team World pairing of Aaron Ramsey and Bale, securing a vital 3 Up victory for England.
Despite Team England's big moments, Shevchenko and Yorke came through for Team World to just overcome Sheringham and Sharpe in a tight 1 Up finish to keep Team World just a point behind.
What time does play start and when is coverage live on Sky Sports?
Sky Sports' extended continues on Sunday, with the action live on Sky Sports Golf from 1am.
Sunday's alternate shot action begins at 1am UK time, with the final-session singles beginning around 6am that morning (1pm in Bangkok) and following the action until the final putt has been made.
How to watch the Reignwood Icons of Football in the UK and Ireland
Got Sky?
TV: Sky Customers can watch on Sky Sports Golf, with coverage available at various points throughout the week on Sky Sports Main Event.
App: Sky Customers can also watch on the Sky Sports app
Not got Sky?
Stream: Non-Sky Customers can stream the action with no contract with a NOW Day or a cancel-anytime Month pass
FREE Highlights: Watch near-live clips and post-round highlights on the Sky Sports app
How to watch the Reignwood Icons of Football on mobile with the Sky Sports app
Sky Sports Subscribers can:
- Download or open the Sky Sports app
- Head to the 'Watch' section
- Tap on the Sky Sports Golf channel
- Sign in with your Sky iD (*you'll only need to do this once)
*Sky iD help: How to find or create your Sky iD
Watch the Reignwood Icons of Football live this weekend on Sky Sports. Coverage continues on Sunday from 1am on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.
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