Hero to zero! Bukayo Saka impresses his England team-mates on the driving range after starring in Euro 2024 quarter-final win over Switzerland... before tripping over his own bag in front of the whole squad

  • Players showed off golf skills in a special edition of Inside Access video series 
  • LISTEN to It's All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: Gareth Southgate is the first England manager to be criticised while winning 

By Matthew Mcevoy

Published: | Updated:

England's quarter-final hero Bukayo Saka shocked his team-mates with his golf skills on Sunday, only to end up falling flat on his face just seconds later.

Having scored in normal time and then converted his penalty in England's shootout win over Switzerland on Saturday, Saka joined the rest of the day on a scheduled rest day on the golf course.

The players took part in a lighthearted 'North vs South' tournament, with some clearly more capable than others with a club in their hand.


Saka appeared to have little knowledge of what he was doing, but after a couple of helpful tips from Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter, he nailed a tee shot, drawing cheers from his stunned team-mates. 

'Best shot of my life!' Saka exclaimed, as Poulter added: 'Flushed it, flushed it.'

Bukayo Saka stunned his team-mates with his tee shot on a scheduled day off for the players

Bukayo Saka stunned his team-mates with his tee shot on a scheduled day off for the players

Saka was very pleased with himself and celebrated as his team-mates cheered

Saka was very pleased with himself and celebrated as his team-mates cheered

But he then fell over his own bag, leaving the whole squad in hysterics

But he then fell over his own bag, leaving the whole squad in hysterics

Ian Poulter was on-hand to give players advice during their 'North vs South' mini tournament

Ian Poulter was on-hand to give players advice during their 'North vs South' mini tournament

But as he made his way back with a beaming smile on his face, Saka tripped over his own golf bag and fell to the ground, leaving the whole squad in hysterics.

Saka also saw the funny side as he slowly picked himself back up before shaking hands with Trent Alexander-Arnold. 

The video posted on England's official X account also showed the likes of Jude Bellingham, Alexander-Arnold, Ivan Toney and Declan Rice, and highlighted how competitive the squad really are.

With drives more reminiscent of Happy Gilmore, Alexander-Arnold hit multiple daisy cutters, while Bellingham bent it (into the rough) like Beckham.

'Why is it doing that, G?' Eberechi Eze groaned in one video, lifting his nine iron for a closer inspection.

'Let me cook,' said Bellingham, stepping up for another, before hitting the ball perfectly down the middle of the fairway – much to his surprise.

Aaron Ramsdale, Harry Kane and Rice, meanwhile, showed the rest of the squad how it's done, exhibiting the kind of meticulous form that suggests membership to their local courses are paid in full.

Jude Bellingham showed he is competitive on the golf course as well as on the pitch

Jude Bellingham showed he is competitive on the golf course as well as on the pitch

Eberechi Eze looks on at his club in disbelief, after shanking his shot into the rough

Eberechi Eze looks on at his club in disbelief, after shanking his shot into the rough

Focus will return to the football pitch now as England gear up for their Euros semi-final.

England face the Netherlands at 8pm BST on Wednesday in Dortmund, in the second semi-finals of the tournament, and could play one of Spain or France, who face-off in the first semis of the tournament on Tuesday, at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

Fans will be hoping the rest of the team show up with the same drive, too, and deliver a performance that's anything but under-par.

Trent Alexander-ArnoldEngland FootballBukayo Saka