Cricketing legends are the latest sporting icons to join the star-studded field teeing it up at Wentworth in the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am.
Australian great Shane Warne and West Indies batting superstar Brian Lara will once again be swapping wickets and willow for fairways and irons when they join One Direction singer Niall Horan in the celebrity line-up.
Warne caddied for his compatriot Peter O’Malley in the first round of the Senior Open Championship at Sunningdale last year, and the 46 year old hinted at that time that a career in golf on the Senior Tour might appeal to him once he reaches 50.
“I love my golf so to be asked back to Wentworth is extremely exciting,” said the former leg-spinner. “It’s sure to be one of the highlights of my year, and it’s for a great cause as well.
“I’m still very competitive – I think all former sportsmen are – but I know how tough golf is so I probably need to do a bit more practice before I seriously consider it. In the meantime I’m going to make sure I just enjoy being part of this wonderful event.”
Lara’s name litters cricket’s record books, where he achieved the highest individual score in a Test match on two separate occasions as well as the all-time highest first class score of 501 not out.
Although best known as a left-handed batsman, the West Indian shows his remarkable sporting talent by teeing it up right-handed on the golf course, where he plays off a handicap of three.
“I always know where I want to be come the month of May: at Wentworth teeing it up with my pro golfer and thousands of golf fans looking on,” said the 46 year old.
“To be asked back to the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth is a champagne moment for me. Once again I will be bringing a budding young golfer from the West Indies to soak up the atmosphere and learn as much as he or she can in the illustrious company of the greats on show.”
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Former England spinner Graeme Swann, now a commentator on the BBC’s Test Match Special, will be making his debut in the event alongside his Ashes-winning colleagues Andrew Strauss and Michael Vaughan, while Wentworth member Kevin Pietersen will be involved for the second year in a row.
“I’m honoured, excited and nervous all at the same time,” said Swann. “Wentworth is golf’s equivalent of Lord’s, just a legendary venue known around the world, so to be asked to play is amazing.
“It’s about having fun for a great cause and letting the crowds enjoy themselves, so I’ll do my best to put on a good show and not embarrass myself.”
Completing the cricketing complement are Sir Ian Botham and Allan Lamb, both former England captains who will be returning to the famous West Course this summer.
The cricketers are merely the latest sporting stars to be added to this year’s line-up following last week’s announcement of international footballers including John Terry, Paul Scholes and Robbie Fowler.
Last year, thanks chiefly to the generous donations from the professionals, celebrities and the Tour Players Foundation, the Celebrity Pro-Am day raised in excess of £35,000 for charity.
