Ash Barty: former tennis world No 1 to play in US golf event

Ash Barty will return to the world stage of sport wielding a golf club rather than a tennis racket. The former world No 1 will play in a teams exhibition event in New Jersey from 30 June 30 to 1 July, alongside some of sport’s biggest names.

Barty, who announced her shock retirement last month aged just 25, will be a headline act in the Icons Series which will be played in the US for the first time. Team USA, captained by 1992 Masters Champion Fred Couples, will take on a Rest of the World team captained by four-time major winner Ernie Els.

The late Shane Warne has played in a previous edition while this time Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, boxer Oscar De La Hoya and retired swim great Michael Phelps will line up.

The June tournament is a nine-hole team match-play format at Liberty National. Barty is reportedly looking to bring the event to Australia next year.

She has been coy on her post-retirement plans, although they are sure to involve golf in some way as she lives on a golf course with her fiance Garry Kissick, a PGA trainee professional.

The three-time grand slam tennis champion won the ladies competition at her home club Brookwater, near Ipswich, earlier this month, playing off a handicap of five.

Seven-time major winner Karrie Webb played a round with her at Victoria Golf Club in 2019 and told AAP that Barty had the talent to make it on the LPGA tour.

“She’s a really handy player and just that one day I could tell if she puts some time into it she will be a great player,” Webb said.

“It was everything – she hit the ball a long way – but a lot of athletes are very hand-eye co-ordinated and they get out there and they’re fairly decent at hitting the ball.

“When it comes to the finesse shots, sometimes