Top 10 rugby players who love a game of golf
If rugby is a hooligans sport played by gentleman, and football a gentleman’s sport played by hooligans, and we know golf is the gentleman’s game – who is right?
With the Rugby World Cup just on the horizon, we’ve taken a look at some of the sports greatest… golfers.
10. Stephen Ferris (18)
Despite having an injury plagued career, Irish flanker Stephen Ferris managed appearances for his national team at the 2011 World Cup, and was included in the 2009 British & Irish Lions squad despite not making an appearance. Ferris has regularly appeared in Irish Open pro-ams.
9. Scott Quinell (18)
School of Hard Knocks’ co-presenter, Quinell, and resident Welshman often plays with fellow golf aficionado Will Greenwood. He’s regular plays golf with his dad and his current handicap is 18.
8. Nick Easter (15)
The oldest player to ever score a try for England – Easter is also steady off the tee. The England international learned he was to come back into the side whilst on his way to his regular haunt of Wentworth Golf Club.
7. Will Greenwood (12)
Alongside fellow golfer Scott Quinell, Will Greenwood makes up the Sky Sports rugby analysis team and seen regularly on our screens. Despite this, the former England centre finds time to visit Augusta National. His favourite players are Seve and Nick Faldo.
6. Mike Tindall (10)
Mr Zara Phillips appears in a large number of charity events in a bid to raise money – including the On Course Foundation – and has improved on his 18 handicap remarkably since his retirement in 2014. The former England and Barbarians man now plays off a handy 10.
5. Matt Dawson (9)
When Matthew James Sutherland Dawson is not appearing as a team captain on ’A Question of Sport’, he’s a regular on the links. The World Cup winner currently plays off nine.
4. Brian O’Driscoll (9)
A one club centre – and one of the greatest players to ever play the game – the former British & Irish Lions and Ireland captain refers to himself as having a “bad nine handicap”. Handy with a club and a rugby ball, he has appeared in a number of promotional events with fellow Irishman (although of the Northern variety) Rory McIlroy.
3. Gavin Hastings (6)
Former Scottish fullback Hastings – also known as “Big Gav” – is regularly mentioned as on the best rugby players to pull on a Scotland shirt. A Cambridge graduate – Gavin is a regular attendee at the Wentworth and Scottish Open Pro-Ams.
2. Paul O’Connell (4)
The 2015 Guinness Rugby Writers Player of the Year is an avid golfer – regularly hosting golf days at his home course in Limerick. O’Connell made the decision as a teenager to focus on his rugby rather than his golf.
1. Thom Evans (+1) and Max Evans (+2)
As brothers we’ve gone for the Evans boys – cousins of Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans – Thom was unfortunate to suffer a neck injury forcing him out of the game at 24.
Max on the other hand currently plies his trade with French side Castres – and was part of the 2013 French Championship winning side.
Both are top quality players – playing off +1 and +2 respectively.
Notable mentions
Clive Woodward (7)
The mastermind behind England’s 2003 World Cup winning side, Woodward has been a part of Colin Montgomerie’s team at the Wentworth pro-am on several occasions.
Follow NCG on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest equipment and golf course reviews and exclusive interviews.
