Barty’s set-up ‘perfect’

SCOTT Draper turned his back on a successful tennis career to try professional golf.

He did a fair job of it, too. Now he has urged Ash Barty (pictured) to walk the same path if she has a genuine passion for golf and wants to challenge herself.

“When people are making a decision to do something that is perhaps out of their comfort zone or a little bit different … I just think life and people tend to go, you shouldn’t do that or can’t do that,” Draper said.

“I experienced that as well. I wasn’t Ash Barty or No.1, that’s for sure. But at the same time it is great when someone has the passion do some thing different or they give it a regardless what the may be. It is unbelievably courageous. What she did … to be No.1 in the world at 25 years of age, to make a decision like that … it is completely extraordinary someone has that courage and clarity.”

Draper peaked at No.42 on the ATP Tour before he pulled the plug on tennis to play golf as a professional.

The highlight of his career on the Australasian golf tour was his win in the 2007 NSW PGA, when he shot 20 under par.

Gary Barter, coach of Australian golf star Matt Jones, is impressed by Barty’s golf prowess.

“Her set-up is perfect. She has great dynamics already, which is really important for distance,” he said.

“As for competing against the best lady PGA pros in the future, she would have to have multiple skills.

“The positive is her awesome athletic motion, technique and mental side to compete. The bottom line is, if she is totally dedicated I would back Ash in to do it at professional level if she has a short game.”