Gary Lineker has revealed he has given up golf due to mild arthritis in his fingers and a wrist injury.
The 64-year-old Match of the Day presenter, who is set to leave the BBC show after this season, made the admission during an appearance on Stephen Hendry's Cue Tips YouTube channel.
When asked if he still plays golf, Lineker responded: "No, I don't, no. My finger is a bit arthritic."
The former England striker enjoyed the sport during and after his football career.
Gary Lineker has had to give up golf due to athritis
ReutersLineker explained how a specific incident led to his decision to stop playing.
"I hurt my wrist hitting a root, and it damaged it. I couldn't play for six months," he revealed.
The injury initially seemed devastating to the former footballer.
"I was like, 'oh, this is the end of the world'," Lineker admitted.
However, his perspective quickly changed as he adapted to life without the sport.
"Then, a month later, I'm thinking 'I don't miss it at all'," he said.
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"I loved it - but I didn't really like myself on the golf course. I used to big myself up quite a lot and get miserable all the time."
The former footballer found himself struggling when he attempted to return to the sport.
"When I went back to playing, I was struggling, and after three hours, I was thinking, 'God, I've got another four-and-a-half hours of this!' So I just stopped, and I actually don't miss it. It's really weird."
Despite giving up golf, Lineker maintains a rigorous fitness regime.
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Lineker had enjoyed playing golf but admitted he doesn't miss it
Getty"I work out really hard," he told the Evening Standard in 2023. "I do at least three sessions in the gym every week, and then I'll do Pilates as well."
The former footballer also follows a disciplined approach to his diet.
"I only really eat one major meal a day. Breakfast I don't eat," he explained.
"Then, I'll either pick in the evening if I've had lunch or pick in the daytime, with nuts and fruits."
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Gary Lineker is set to focus on his Rest is Football podcast when he leaves Match of the DayRESTISFOOTBALLLineker has been the face of Match of the Day since 1999, when he took over as the lead presenter of the BBC's flagship football programme.
After 26 years in the role, he is set to step down at the end of the current Premier League season.
The former England striker, who earned 80 caps for his country, enjoyed a successful playing career with clubs including Tottenham and Leicester before retiring from professional football in 1994.
He transitioned to television shortly after hanging up his boots.
