Gary Lineker details health struggle forcing him to ditch favourite hobby - 'End of the world'

Match of the Day host has spoken of his pain at having to stop playing due to in his hands. The former England striker had been an avid golfer, but was forced to call it quits after finding himself unable to hold a club.

Lineker, 64, previously spent time presenting the BBC's golf coverage. He played off a handicap of four at his best, and was initially frustrated at having to give up his favourite hobby, but has now revealed he doesn't miss it as much as he first expected.

"My finger is a bit arthritic," Lineker said during an appearance on . "I was playing, and I loved it, but I didn't really like myself on the golf course.

"I used to beat myself up a lot, get miserable all the time, and nine times out of 10 you're miserable in golf. Then I got injured - I hurt my wrist hitting a root, and it damaged it. I couldn't play for six months.

"I was like, 'Oh, this is the end of the '. Then, a month later, I'm thinking 'I don't miss it at all. Then 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 ."

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Lineker was also an adept snooker player, telling former world champion Hendry he has a best break of 135. However, he stopped playing as much when he moved overseas during his football career.

After starting his career with City and scoring 40 goals in his sole season. A move to saw snooker take a back seat, though, and golf had taken his place by the time he moved back to England three years later.

Lineker is nearing the end of his time as the BBC's Match of the Day anchor. This season will be his last on the highlights show, though he is set to remain with the broacaster for live football coverage up until the end of the 2026 World Cup.

"I’m delighted to continue my long association with Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen," he said after his future was confirmed in late 2024. His role will be shared between a number of hosts from next season onwards, with .

"Gary is a world-class presenter, and we’re delighted that he’ll lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the ," BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski said in November 2024.

"After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week. He’ll be hugely missed on the show but we’re so happy he is staying with the BBC to present live football."

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