Gareth Bale has taken his first official role in golf but remains focused on inspiring Wales to the World Cup.
The Real Madrid and Welsh ace was confirmed on Monday as global ambassador for the R&A to help grow golf.
Bale joins Niall Horan and Modest! Golf in backing a drive to encourage more people into playing golf, including women and young people.
But pals of the 32-year-old insist his main aim this season remains getting Wales to Qatar 2022 via the play-offs.
Bale returned to the bench for Real as an unused sub two games ago and is working hard on his fitness in Spain after a calf injury sustained on international duty in November.
Wales are bidding to reach their first World Cup since 1958 ahead of a home tie with Austria in March in the play-off semi-finals and, if successful, then face either Scotland or Ukraine in Cardiff for a place in Qatar.
Skipper and record-scorer Bale has not played any competitive football since coming off injured against Belarus in Cardiff on his 100th cap.
But his last great ambition in his playing career is to help Wales reach the World Cup.
His contract is up this summer when Bale will consider his options but he could yet retire from football if Wales fail to make Qatar.
It would give the two handicapper more time to focus on his other great passion for golf.
Bale, who is a partner in the golf division at ICM Stellar Sports, said, “Golf is an amazing sport and it has always been an ambition of mine to encourage more people to take it up.
“This is a really exciting move by The R&A and I’m honoured to be able to play my part in their efforts to inspire people of all ages to give golf a try.”
Bale has only played three games for Real Madrid this season after a hamstring tear from September sustained in training in Spain.
Bale, who earns £600,000-a-week, has not played for Madrid since August 28.
His latest injury has upset Real and some of their fans, who abused Bale as he left the club’s HQ in his car in November.
But Bale is now back and available to Real boss Carlo Ancelotti, whose side top La Liga.
Real return to action on Thursday in the Copa Del Ray against Athletico Bilbao.
Later in February they take on PSG in the last 16 of the Champions League with the first leg away in Paris on Tuesday February 15.
But Bale’s biggest date is when Wales play Austria at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday March 24.
In the meantime he will continue to promote golf via his 100 million followers on social media in his spare time.
Phil Anderton, chief development officer at The R&A, said, “Gareth’s passion for golf is clear for everyone to see and he will play an influential role in supporting the new golfer initiatives we are working on with Modest! Golf and plan to introduce this year.
“We want to reach new audiences who are not yet aware of golf’s many great benefits, including health and wellbeing, and believe that role models like Gareth can help inspire more women and young people into the sport and enhance golf’s reputation with millions of followers worldwide. We see real potential in this approach and working to secure similar arrangements with other male and female influencers.”
The partnership builds on The R&A’s appointment of Modest! Golf to work on developing a series of future grassroots programmes aimed at inspiring more people into golf and retain them within the sport.
Horan, co-founder of Modest! Golf, said, “We are delighted to bring Gareth on board as Modest! Golf and I work closely with The R&A to reach new audiences and promote the game of golf. We look forward to more announcements this year.”
