Ash Barty To Take Part In Icons Series Golf Tournament
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Ash Barty has traded her tennis racquet for golf clubs.
Just a week after announcing her first career move post-retirement, Barty is slated to play in a global golf tournament that will be televised across Australia.
The tournament - part of the inaugural Icons Series - will take place at the Liberty National course in New Jersey, America, in June.
It's a nine-hole team match play exhibition event that will feature some of global sport's biggest names including boxing megastar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and England striker Harry Kane.
Golf legend Ernie Els will captain the rest of the World team while Fred Couples will lead Team USA.
Barty is an avid golfer and earlier this month Barty eased into life back home by winning the ladies competition at the Brookwater Golf and Country Club in Brisbane's outskirts.
Omg, Ash Barty is now playing golf, there is literally nothing this woman cannot do
- elliemarney (@elliemarney) April 19, 2022
The three-time major winner and world number one, who plays off a handicap of four, finished first in a field of five women - winning a cool $30 for her efforts.
She will face some slightly more high-profile opponents in the Icons Series. Couple's American outfit will feature the likes of Olympic legend Michael Phelps and NFL star Ben Roethlisberger.
Icons Series chief executive Thomas Brookes told the Sydney Morning Herald that Barty would definitely hold her own.
"She did a range session with Ian Poulter, who is one of our future captains in September when she was at the US Open, and she had not hit a golf ball for a while. Ian said, 'Just hit a few balls and we'll see how you go'.
"She hit this ball, I don't know how far. And he turned around and said, 'You're having me on. Let's just take it a bit deeper. Can you do me a high fade?' And she did a high fade. Then he said, 'Can you do me a low draw?' And she did a low draw.
"She's got those skill sets within her locker. With a bit of practice she can get lower than a three or four handicap. I know she's really, really excited to be playing in New York and she's also really keen to bring the concept to Australia."
