Sir Andy Murray forgot one of golf’s most cherished rules as he got his round underway at the BMW Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth – tucking his shirt in.
The three-time major winner has swapped his racket for some clubs as he teamed up with fellow countryman and golf professional Bob MacIntryre for the star-studded celebrity pro-am event on the famous West Course.
Murray has even gone as far as changing his profile description on X to ‘I used to play tennis, now I play golf’ but as he was pictured getting underway on the 18th hole, with the tournament being a shotgun start, the 37-year-old committed one of the sport’s cardinal sins by not tucking his top in but being a tennis legend probably grants you a free pass.
It is believed the Scotsman will be playing off a seven handicap for the tournament and will have some tidy golfers in his group with England cricket legend Jimmy Anderson who is also a fellow recent retiree and plays off 1.8 and Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke, who famously partnered Murray’s mother Judy when he appeared on the show in 2014, playing off one.
Rory McIlroy, who is the highest ranked golfer playing in the event, has former Real Madrid and Tottenham footballer Gareth Bale, who as a scratch golfer is one of the lowest handicapped celebrities at Wentworth, in his group. They are also playing with former fast bowler Stuart Broad who plays off a 6.4.
England rugby and cricket captains Jamie George and Ben Stokes also feature with comedian Michael McIntyre and actor Tom Holland also playing.
Murray opened up about his fears that he would find quitting “hard” but admitted that was not the case since retiring from the sport after this summer’s Olympics.
“Since I’ve stopped, I feel really free and have got lots of time to do whatever it is I want,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “I can dedicate time to my children and have free time to play golf or go to the gym on my own terms.
“It is really nice and I didn’t expect that. I was expecting to find retirement hard and be missing tennis a lot and wanting to get back on the tennis court on tour. So far, it has been the complete opposite to what I was thinking.”
Murray recently showed off his golf prowess on Instagram, displaying his swing with the caption: “First ever golf lesson today on the journey to become a scratch golfer. Any tips are welcome.
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