
Legends Tour at Trump: The best images from the celebrity pro-am as Andriy Shevchenko, Judy Murray and Brian McFadden hit the links
A day after US President Donald Trump had opened the new course at the Aberdeenshire venue, it was the turn of some more familiar faces to tee it up at the Cardhu Celebrity Pro-Am.
The pro-am is the appetiser before the Legends Tour's flagship tournament – the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship gets under way on Thursday morning – but has become a popular event in its own right among golf fans in the north-east.
Irish pop singer Brian McFadden, who rose to fame with Westlife, described the Trump International Links course as 'a real jewel'.
He said: 'This is my third or fourth time here. I have great memories as I won here three years ago to qualify for the Legends Tour's grand final in Mauritius.
'In my opinion, this is one of the best golf courses in the world.
'For a links golf course to have that kind of condition on the greens and the fairways is just phenomenal.
'The Scottish people always make us feel so welcome and spoil us rotten.
'It is a really tough field as a lot of the celebrities are very good.
'Robbie Fowler is the most consistent. You never see him far from the top of the leaderboard.
'Keith Duffy is always up there, Teddy Sheringham is a very good golfer and Andriy Shevchenko is incredible.
'It is a tough field – I know when I tee off I won't be winning.'
Legendary British athlete Kriss Akabusi was also loving being back in Aberdeenshire for the Legends Tour event.
The celebrities were all playing for a nominated charity, with £10,000 going to the winner, £7,500 for second place and £2,500 for third.
Akabusi said: 'I always love coming here. It's not the easiest course to play but it is always beautiful.
'I really like the layout of the 12th hole, it's definitely one of my favourites on the course.
'It's important to enjoy yourself and not try to be something that you're not.
'It's great to play the course alongside someone like my playing partner Rich Beem (winner of the 2002 US PGA Championship who now works as an analyst for Sky Sports).
'I told him I had listened to him talk about golf so many times on the TV so it's great to say I have now played a round alongside him.'
Former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland defender Jason McAteer says playing golf has helped him adjust to life after football.
McAteer, who plays off a very impressive handicap of 1.5, said: 'I came up on Monday with Robbie Fowler and we played Murcar on Tuesday, which was a stunning place.
'I really enjoy my golf.
'When you finish playing football there is a massive void in your life.
'You still have that competitive edge. You want to get better at something and have that discipline.
'Golf is perfect for that. I live on a golf course in Cheshire. That was the compromise with my missus when we moved house.
'I get to go out and play golf most evenings. I like the social side of it. It keeps my mind right.'
Teddy Sheringham, a Champions League winner with Manchester United, has also turned to golf and plays off four.
He said: 'This is my second time here and I absolutely love it.
'It is stunning and great to play with players such as my pro-am partner Paul McGinley.
'I played Royal Aberdeen a couple of years ago. You have a great word for the fog up here – the haar – and unfortunately that came in and we only got to play about 12 holes but I really liked that course.
'My own golf is up and down but I'm playing a lot. I just spent a couple of days at Loch Lomond, which was stunning.
'It doesn't get much better than playing golf on courses like this.'
Former Hibernian manager Alan Stubbs pipped Ukraine legend Andriy Shevchenko to victory in the celebrity pro-am on countback with a winning score of 38 stableford points.
The first round of the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship starts at 7.30am with Englishman David Salisbury getting play under way.
Host Colin Montgomerie and his playing partner and fellow European Ryder Cup legend Paul McGinley tee off at 8.25am.
Aberdeen's Paul Lawrie, the 1999 Open champion, tees off at 1.36pm alongside Englishman Anthony Wall.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Wales Online
3 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Ryan Reynolds and Tom Brady in fight for budding Liverpool ace as Wrexham eye 11th signing
Ryan Reynolds and Tom Brady in fight for budding Liverpool ace as Wrexham eye 11th signing Wrexham and Birmingham are battling it out with several other teams for Liverpool forward Lewis Koumas, who is set to leave the Premier League club before transfer deadline day Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham are facing a tough battle with Birmingham for Liverpool's Lewis Koumas (Image: PA Wire/PA Images) Wrexham and Birmingham City are gearing up for a transfer battle over Liverpool youngster Lewis Koumas. The two Championship rivals are at the forefront of a lengthy list of potential suitors for the Welsh international. The 19-year-old forward has become hot property following a successful stint in the second tier last season while on loan at Stoke City. Sheffield United have maintained a keen interest in the player throughout the year, with Norwich City, Preston North End and Hull City also monitoring the situation closely. However, it's Wrexham, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and Birmingham, where NFL icon Tom Brady holds a minority stake, that are leading the pursuit for Koumas. Both clubs are believed to be prepared to offer a permanent deal to him after he scored on his senior Liverpool debut in an FA Cup victory over Southampton in February last year. Koumas, who was on the bench for the Reds' League Cup final triumph over Chelsea in 2023/24, has made 50 senior appearances and has also earned six full Wales caps. The reigning Premier League champions view the forward as being further along in his development than a player like Bobby Clark was when he left Anfield for RB Salzburg in a £10million deal last year. With 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha having risen from the club's academy in the past nine months, first-team opportunities for Koumas were limited during pre-season to a second-half appearance at Preston and a brief cameo in the opening friendly against Athletic Bilbao. Article continues below Liverpool forward Lewis Koumas is being chased by Wrexham and Birmingham (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) Koumas is anticipated to depart before the transfer deadline on September 1 and was notably absent as Liverpool's under-21s' lost at Leicester City in the Premier League 2 on Monday. If he does make the move to Wrexham, he would likely become the club's eleventh summer signing. The Red Dragons have so far brought in nine new faces after securing promotion from League One in April, including Wales trio Danny Ward, Kieffer Moore and Nathan Broadhead. Man City youngster Callum Doyle is expected to become the tenth after a deal worth up to £8m was agreed between the two clubs. With Wrexham losing their opening two Championship games against Southampton and West Brom, manager Phil Parkinson is keen to add more recruits following a busy summer. Speaking after their latest defeat to the Baggies last weekend, the former Bolton and Sunderland boss said a few areas of his squad still needed strengthening. Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. "The lads we've brought in at the moment are really good and I'm pleased with the way they've settled in," he said. "We probably do need a couple more players and we're looking at that. "It's ongoing, it's obviously busy for all managers and clubs at the moment when you're preparing for games and looking to improve the squad." Parkinson was dealt a blow earlier this week following the news that summer signing Josh Windass will be out of action for up to six weeks. The attacking midfielder has impressed during Wrexham's opening games, scoring from the penalty spot in the defeat to Southampton, but came off with a hamstring injury against West Brom last Saturday. "Josh is going to be out for four to six weeks with his hamstring," said Parkinson. Obviously it's a blow because he's been great for us. Even in the first half hour against West Brom he was really good and obviously down at Southampton. Article continues below "It is really frustrating for him and for us but it's part and parcel of football and we've got to deal with it. With the international break coming up, by the time that's finished he won't be far off."


The Independent
3 minutes ago
- The Independent
Newcastle United hit back at Alexander Isak's social media statement
Newcastle United have rejected striker Alexander Isak 's claim that he was promised a summer exit, stating he remains under contract. Isak accused the club of 'broken promises' and declared 'trust is lost', asserting that a transfer is now in everyone's best interest. The club issued a strong statement denying any such commitment and indicated that the conditions for a sale, including a rejected £110m bid from Liverpool, would not be met. Isak has not featured for Newcastle in pre-season or their opening league match, reportedly due to a thigh injury, and is training separately. The dispute comes as Newcastle began the season without a recognised striker, having failed to secure other transfer targets.


Scottish Sun
3 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Spurs target Eberechi Eze awkwardly laughs live on Sky Sports News after overhearing reporter comment at Palace training
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EBERECHI EZE was left awkwardly laughing after overhearing a comment from a Sky Sports reporter. The Crystal Palace star is expected to swap south for north and join Tottenham Hotspur in the coming days. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Eberechi Eze could overhear the Sky Sports reporters while training Credit: Sky Sports News 5 Adam Wharton reacted hilariously when his future was brought up Credit: Sky Sports News Spurs agreed a £60million deal with the Eagles yesterday for the midfielder, which will see them pay HALF of the total upfront. Not all payment conditions have been settled, leaving Eze waiting for the move. This means he is still a Palace player for the time being, and he is not refusing to play for the club either. Palace are also keen for him to play in the Conference League play-off against Fredrikstad FK on Thursday. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL SPLASH THE REDDIES Liverpool approve record Isak transfer as Reds plot £165m double-deal Eze, 27, was training with the rest of Oliver Glasner's side when they were joined by a Sky Sports reporting team. The reporter Gary Cotterill, was asked by the presenter to ask Eze's team-mate Adam Wharton about his future. Wharton was standing next to Eze when Cotterill loudly said: "I am not going to ask Adam Wharton about his future, no." Eze could not help but sneak a glance at the reporter before having an awkward chuckle to himself. SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN Wharton, 21, had the best reaction as he quickly checked the badge on his shirt to hint that he is staying at Selhurst Park this summer. The midfielder has been tipped for a move as Rio Ferdinand claimed he would be a good signing for Manchester United. Incredible footage shows Adam Wharton dazzling defenders aged 10 before rising to Euro 2024 stardom with England The retired defender believes the one-capped England international could replicate Michael Carrick's impact at Old Trafford. Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel: "We've been talking about Baleba, he's been the hot topic for the last month or so, but before that, Adam Wharton was one of the guys I was saying [United should sign]. "He's the nearest to a Michael Carrick type, who's a controller, who can play, who plays forward from that deeper line position at times. "He can be an eight if you need him to be and can run on at times if need be, but he's more of a conductor and can control things. 5 Wharton has won the Community Shield and FA Cup at Palace Credit: Getty 5 "I watched him in a couple of games last season against big teams like Man City and Liverpool, and he looks unfazed. "He looks ready for a big occasion. "He enjoys pressure, can play under pressure, and the game kind of slows down when the ball is around him. "I love him. I think he's a fantastic footballer." Wharton has also been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Spurs. He made the move to Selhurst Park from Blackburn Rovers in January 2024 and quickly established himself in the first team. Palace forked out £22.5m to sign Wharton but are expected to demand up to £100m for his signature. 5 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW