Team England leads Team World 8½ to 7½ after the first round of the Reignwood Icons of Football event. The competition is taking place at the Robinswood Golf Club in Bangkok and features legendary football players in a unique golf format.
Day One Summary
After the morning Fourballs, Team England secured a narrow lead with a score of 4½ to 3½. Notably, the duo of Robbie Fowler and Paul Ince opened the match with a stunning 4 Up victory against Ryan Giggs and Henrik Larsson. However, Team World quickly responded, with John Arne Riise and Gianfranco Zola managing to clinch a win over Phil Jagielka and Jermaine Jenas.
One of the highlights of the morning session was the match between Gareth Bale and Gabriel Batistuta. The two players showcased impressive skills, with Bale’s birdie on the final hole sealing a 2 Up victory against John Terry and Teddy Sheringham.
Standout Performances
Dwight Yorke also made headlines, reportedly executing the “shot of the week” from a difficult position in the bushes. A match between Jimmy Bullard and Lee Sharpe against Andriy Shevchenko and Yorke ended in a thrilling tie, showcasing the competitive nature of the event.
Afternoon Greensomes
Team England entered the afternoon Greensomes slightly ahead but faced stiff competition from Team World. Ruud Gullit and David Ginola started strong, achieving a 4 Up victory over Theo Walcott and Joe Hart.
As the matches progressed, tension rose, with several contests resulting in ties, including those involving Jenas/Terry and Zola/Batistuta, as well as Jagielka/Fowler versus Giggs/De Jong. A standout performance came from Ince and Phil Jones, who dominated Riise and Larsson with a remarkable 7 Up victory.
Final Matches
Team England continued to excel as Jimmy Bullard and Andy Cole triumphed over Aaron Ramsey and Bale with a decisive 3 Up win. Despite England’s strong performance, Shevchenko and Yorke managed to secure a close victory of 1 Up against Sharpe and Sheringham, keeping Team World within just one point of their rivals.
Upcoming Coverage
The action resumes on Sunday, with live coverage available on El-Balad starting at 1am UK time. Viewers can expect alternate shot play followed by singles matches beginning around 6am. Options for viewing include Sky Sports Golf and streaming services for non-subscribers.
- Date: Coverage begins on Sunday
- Time: 1am UK time for alternate shot; 6am for singles
- Where to watch: Sky Sports Golf, Sky Sports app, NOW streaming service
Fans eagerly await what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the Reignwood Icons of Football event.
