Diego Maradona's passion for golf

Three years after having definitely put the crampons away in the souvenir cupboard following more or less failed comebacks, Diego Armando Maradonal is taking advantage of a stay on the island of Cuba to try his hand at golf.

It's love at first sight.

We are in 2000. The Argentinian is then 40 years old.

The gambling virus is so palpable that it can hit two eighteen holes a day.

Admittedly, his swing is not as magical as his swaying dribbles but the guy, as a top athlete that he is still despite a very clear overweight, wants to progress quickly.

And to give himself, somewhere, a goal when his life seems to be at a standstill ...

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In an interview with

in 2010, he unequivocally lets his love for the sport shine: “I didn't start playing until I was 40, and although I think I started playing golf a bit late, since I started, I was bitten by the virus.

I couldn't think of going a single day without playing golf.

"

Progress is rapid.

German Calle Jr, a Colombian golf instructor officiating in Panama, remembers a diligent student: "Diego arrived in Panama and played from the early hours of the morning until five in the afternoon," recalls he.

Some days he drove 36 holes.

It is a sport that requires patience and precision.

And Maradona has these qualities.

"

Completely addicted, he even happens to play ... at night, as Gerardo Lorenzo, driver of the British Embassy in Cuba, who shared several games with him, points out: “He became a golf fanatic and even played at night. with phosphorescent balls.

"

When he is traveling to the four corners of the world, Maradona always asks the same question to those around him:" where we are going, is there a golf course in the area?

"

In August 2003, we will see and walk the course of Cannes-Mandelieu, on the Riviera.

“There is a certain similarity between football and golf, it is in the movements, he emphasizes, still in Golfing World, silencing here those who claim that golf is just a tasty pass. time.

In the way you position your body for a free kick as well as a golf swing.

Some say golf is relaxing, but I don't think you can relax too much.

But it's a lot of fun.

"

For many years before being appointed in 2008 coach of the Argentine national team, Diego Maradona will share his passion with some of the best Argentine golfers.

It is not uncommon to see him alongside Angel Cabrera, winner of the 2007 US Open and the 2009 Masters, Emiliano Grillo or Eduardo "El Gato" Romero ... Having found, thanks to golf, a reason for " to live ”despite all his demons, Maradona often does the show on the course, in front of an audience of spectators who have eyes only for him.

He regularly enjoys juggling a golf ball, obviously admiring everyone ...

I had a few hero's growing up and one of them died today.

RIP Maradona pic.twitter.com/oiK8X1ZpWB

- Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) November 25, 2020

https://t.co/O2UDCLhcL6

- Justin ROSE (@ JustinRose99) November 25, 2020

In 2002, still in Argentina, for the benefit of a charity, El Pibe de Oro, who has a handicap of 16, teamed up with the greatest Argentinian golfer in history, Roberto De Vicenzo, winner of the British Open 1967.

“When I was told that I was going to play with him, I thought to myself: 'My god, how are you going?

"But I admit that I was very quickly surprised by his game. Well, he will never make a living with golf but still… He behaved like a gentleman.

He was a serious boy and focused on what he was doing.

He fully understood the traditions of the sport and it was very pleasant to play with him.

»

On the news of his death, several golfers in the world top 50 did not hesitate to express their sadness, such as the English Lee Westwood and Justin Rose.

Proof that Maradona, like a Mohamed Ali, exceeded, and by far, all divisions ...

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