Premier League cult hero and TV star, 45, pulls out of qualifying tournament for place in The Open
FORMER Premier League midfielder Jimmy Bullard was forced to withdraw from a qualification tournament for The Open after suffering an injury.
Bullard was set to participate in Regional Qualifying for The Open – one of golf’s four majors – at Rochester and Cobham Park on Monday.
The former Hull star plays golf to a scratch handicap and regularly takes on famous faces as a part of YouTube channel GOLF LIFE.
Bullard, 45, previously attempted to qualify for The Open in 2013 immediately after he retired from football.
In fact, he missed out by four shots at the regional stage.
But his bid this time round came to a premature end after an ongoing back injury forced him to pull out from qualifying.
Bullard told his 500k Instagram followers: “We’ve had to pull out today for the Road to the Open. We had a load going down there. We’ve left it as long as possible.
“My back is completely gone. I haven’t hit any balls for three weeks. I apologise. We’re all gutted. I might cry in the minute.
“We will be back next year. It’s just my body has broken down.”
Any scratch handicapper can attempt to qualify for The Open – which is taking place at Royal Troon in Scotland on July 18-21.
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Speaking to the The Express last month Bullard said: “I’ve been around some Open qualifiers.
“I’ve caddied for some players and I know that one or two-under can get you in. I’ve got that in my locker.
“When I play and I’m on it, I’ve got that. I know I have. That’s all it’ll need.”
The Open process sees a field of approximately 2,000 hopefuls whittled down until at least 16 are granted entry to the tournament proper.
Others to attempt the switch include former Chelsea captain John Terry, who played in the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am last year.
And former Real Madrid and Wales forward Gareth Bale lined up alongside the pros at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in 2023.
Bullard recently spent six years as a presenter on Sky Sports’ Soccer AM – which aired its final show in May 2023.
He scored 14 Premier League goals and was adored by fans for his upbeat personality.
The former midfielder gained cult hero status following his iconic ‘team talk’ celebration after equalising against Manchester City in 2009.
Funny man Bullard sat his team-mates down in a circle around him before wagging his finger at them.
The celebration was a response to his manager Phil Brown’s infamous reaction to his side conceding four first-half goals in the same fixture the previous season.
He also played for Peterborough United, Ipswich Town and MK Dons.
Top 20 UK sporting moments of the 21st century, voted by fans
1. Sir Andy Murray winning Wimbledon in 2013
2. Jonny Wilkinson’s last-minute drop goal for England against Australia to win the 2003 World Cup
3. The Lionesses winning the Women’s Euros in 2022
4. Leicester City winning the Premier League in 2015/16
5. Sir Mo Farah’s double gold at the 2012 Olympics – 5,000m and 10,000m
6. Sir Steve Redgrave winning his fifth consecutive Olympic rowing golds in 2000
7. ‘The Miracle of Istanbul’ – Liverpool’s comeback from 3-0 down to win the Champions League against AC Milan in 2005
8. England winning the Ashes in 2005
9. England’s Cricket ODI World Cup win in 2019
10. David Beckham’s last-minute free-kick against Greece in 2001 to secure England’s qualification for the 2002 World Cup
11. Manchester City FC’s men’s team completing a historic treble in 2023 (winning the FA Cup, Premier League, and Champion’s League)
12. Sir Chris Hoy’s triple gold at the 2008 Olympics in track cycling
13. Sir Lewis Hamilton winning his seventh Formula 1 championship in 2021
14. Emma Raducanu winning US Open title in 2021
15. Dame Kelly Holmes’ double gold at the 2004 Olympics for the 800m and 1500m races
16. Ben Stokes’ Ashes-saving 135 not out at Headingly in 2019
17. Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill’s heptathlon gold at the 2012 Olympics
18. Sir Bradley Wiggins’ Tour de France victory in 2012
19. Ronnie O’Sullivan winning with seventh snooker World Championship in 2022
20. Paula Radcliffe’s marathon world record in 2003