Gareth Bale missed out on a whopping £7.3million ($10million) prize after failing to score a hole-in-one at the Reignwood Icons of Football golf tournament. The former Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur forward would have pocketed £2.9million of the prize, with £2.2million going to a charity of his choice. 

Three lucky winners who backed him to hit it before the tournament would have split the remaining £2.2million. Despite the efforts of the 24 icons, none managed to make the 181-yard par-three in one shot. 

It was Gabriel Batistuta, one of Bale's Team World colleagues, who clinched the "Nearest the Pin" title, with his ball landing just 11 feet 3 inches from the cup. Bale's 131mph drive didn't come close to challenging the Argentine's effort, as his ball ended up in the stands filled with spectators overlooking the green. 

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The former Wales captain later teamed up with the country's current skipper, Aaron Ramsey, during the tournament, but England's Andy Cole and Jimmy Bullard secured a 3 Up victory. Bale and Batistuta had already achieved a 2 Up win against John Terry and Teddy Sheringham before then. 

A singles match between Bale and Bullard - the only two scratch players competing - finished in a draw, with the Welshman clawing back from 4 Down at one point. That comeback secured Team World half a point.

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Bale said afterwards: "We said on the 18th tee, imagine how Shane Lowry felt [at the Ryder Cup]. Then we spoke about how, in a football match, in a final, in the last minute, they wouldn't like to feel like that, so I guess they are in their comfort zone.

"People say to me: 'Are you going to turn professional?' You don't understand how good these pros are; they need more respect than they get. I'm an okay club golfer. I love it as a hobby, but these guys are under the most serious pressure, toughest conditions. They are beyond belief."

England claimed victory 20-19 to retain the inaugural title they secured last year. Before the tournament, Bale had spoken confidently about wanting to defeat the defending champions.

He stated: "Is there anything better than beating England? As a Welshman, the only thing better than beating England is beating them badly. Let's try to beat them. Hopefully, they are not lifting the trophy at the end of the week. Golf is a game of respect, but I want to win."

The 'Icon of Football' label also didn't sit comfortably with Bale, who remarked: "I don't call myself an icon. When people do call you that, it's a bit strange. 

"You go back to your childhood, and you're watching the superstars play on TV, winning trophies and playing for the biggest clubs in the world. When you finish, you're able to look back and see: 'Oh, I actually did that'. It's cool when somebody does say it - it gives you a nice feeling about what you achieved in your career."

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