From forehands to fairways for Barty
Ash Barty has revealed her next sporting move, agreeing to play in a global golf tournament expected to be televised live in Australia after wowing onlookers in a secret practice range session during last year’s US Open.
Barty, who stunned the tennis fraternity when she announced her retirement last month at the age of 25, will headline an exhibition event alongside some of world sport’s biggest names in New Jersey in June.
The Queenslander has taken out a stake in the Icons Series concept, which she hopes to bring to her home country early next year.
Global sports executives are in discussions with both the NSW and Victoria governments about which state it could be played in.
It is the firmest indication Barty will devote more of her post-tennis time to golf, with fiance´ Garry Kissick a PGA trainee professional.
‘‘She’s absolutely terrific,’’ Icons Series chief executive Thomas Brookes said.
‘‘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. He said, ‘oh my goodness, you are something else’.’’
Barty will play in the inaugural Icons Series event, a nine-hole team matchplay format at Liberty National, alongside boxer Carnelo Alvarez, Manchester City football manager Pep Guardiola and Tottenham striker Harry Kane. The Rest of the World team will be captained by Ernie Els. Fred Couples will take charge of Team USA, which will include swimmer Michael Phelps, the 23-time Olympic gold medallist, two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Alvarez’s arch rival Oscar De La Hoya.
The first Icons Series event will be played from June 30-July 1.