Europa League final: Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes join celebrities in PGA Championship pro-am at Wentworth
Old Trafford stars play on famous course, along with likes of Teddy Sheringham, Robbie Fowler, Jodie Kidd and Damien Lewis
MANCHESTER United legends Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes joined celebrities for the PGA Championship pro-am today - instead of watching the Europa League final in Stockholm.
The Old Trafford pair chose to play alongside the professionals at Wentworth, Surrey, rather than jet to Sweden for the final against Ajax.
The pair teed off at 1.10pm, alongside Ian Poulter, and will not finish in time to make it to Stockholm in time to see Manchester United take on Ajax.
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Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, Alan Hansen, Matt Le Tissier, Tim Sherwood and Robbie Fowler were also among the stars making the trip to the famous West Course.
Former stars of other sports included Brian O’Driscoll, Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Matthew Pinsent, Mike Tindall, Gavin Hastings, Mark Foster and Greg Rusedski.
And celebrities from non-sporting walks of life were also on hand to delight the crowds in the sunshine.
Actors Dougray Scott and Damien Lewis, pop star Brian McFadden, model Jodie Kidd, newsreader Naga Munchetty and radio host Georgie Bingham were also in the field.
With Rory McIlroy ruled out with injury, Ryder Cup stars Justin Rose, Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson are the big names fighting it out for the PGA Championship starting on Thursday.
Stenson hopes a flying visit to the scene of his Open triumph will help kick-start a strong second half of the season, beginning at Wentworth.
Stenson started the year in excellent form with three top-eight finishes in his first four events, but then missed four cuts in succession before a tie for 16th in the Players Championship at Sawgrass.
The 41-year-old Swede admits he is still not firing on all cylinders as he prepares for one of the European Tour's biggest events, but made the trip to Wentworth after reliving some of the memories of his stunning Open win at Royal Troon.
"It was great to be back there," Stenson said.
"A lot of the memories come back to you. Even though it's recent, it's still almost a year ago, but being there for a couple of hours yesterday and seeing the scene of the crime again, it was good times.
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"I haven't been that happy with my long game in particular over the past couple of months, or even longer than that. It's a work in progress, but overall I don't think we're in a bad spot and it will be nice to pick up some form this week.
"I wouldn't say we're 100 per cent but we're heading in the right direction. I'm hitting more good shots and the bad ones are hopefully a little closer to where they need to be, as well.
"I had a great year last year and always there's a bit of a risk of running out of steam at some point. I kind of did that in '14 after the great year I had in '13."