Retired Aussie tennis superstar Ash Barty will tee it up in a new global golf event to be televised across Australia in June, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Barty, who shocked the sporting world by announcing she was hanging up the tennis racquet in March to focus on new challenges, will hit the fairways alongside some of the biggest names in sport, including English Premier League footballer Harry Kane and boxing superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
The inaugural “Icons Series” event will take place at the Liberty National course in New Jersey, America, scene of the 2017 Presidents Cup. And there’s set to be more Presidents Cup flavour in Barty’s latest venture, with 2019 Internationals Captain Ernie Els named skipper of the Rest of the World team, while Fred Couples will lead Team USA.
The tournament will adopt a nine-hole team matchplay format in the hope of providing a new and exciting TV spectacle for the sport. And Barty is keen to play her role in making it a smash-hit Down Under, reportedly taking a stake in the series.
“I’m excited to be part of the Icons Series and I hope through my participation that we can encourage more women and girls to participate in golf around the world,” Barty said, per the Sydney Morning Herald report.
“The series is also a great opportunity for athletes to have an impact on local community and charity projects in each of the host destinations.”
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The Queenslander is no stranger to the golf course, revealing to Australian Golf Digest how she used to joke about one day turning pro in golf.
While she has been busy beating the ladies at her home course Brookwater Golf Club near Brisbane, the Wimbledon champ will have her hands full trying to stop a star-studded American line-up that includes Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps and NFL star Ben Roethlisberger, both known golf tragics.
“It’s such a unique opportunity to have fun, test yourself and compete against the world’s greatest athletes in a sport that we are all so passionate about,” says Barty.
Stay tuned for Australian broadcast details of the Icons Series.
