ASH BARTY has taken a big step towards a career in a THIRD professional sport after signing up for a golf tournament.
The multi-talented Australian, 25, shocked the tennis world after announcing her retirement last month.
Barty was tennis' world No1 and won Wimbledon, the French Open and Australian Open during her exceptional, albeit brief, career.
In 2014, the Aussie took a break from tennis to kickstart a career in CRICKET – playing for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League in 2015-16.
Ever since hanging up her racket, Barty has been tipped for another new career, this time in golf.
Barty plays off a handicap of four and even won a tournament in Queensland earlier this month.
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Now the Australian superstar will join the likes of Harry Kane, Pep Guardiola, Ernie Els and Fred Couples for an exhibition tournament in New Jersey, USA.
The competition takes place between June 30 and July 1 – with two golfing legends captaining the teams.
The Icons Series will be a nine-hole team match-play tournament held at the Liberty National Golf Club.
Els will captain a Rest of the World team, with Couples leading a Team USA squad including Olympic legend Michael Phelps and boxing icon Oscar De La Hoya.
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Both teams will feature 14 sporting icons – with the full line up yet to be released.
But Rest of the World captain Els vowed fans would see some "familar faces".
Els told Sportsmail: "They're (fans) going to see some familiar faces in an unfamiliar role, so that'll be interesting.
"But these guys are used to performing under pressure so I have faith they'll rise to the challenge and we'll see some good golf out there.
"The matches will be competitive, but played in the right spirit.
"It's going to be fun to be a part of and definitely fun to watch."
But for many, all eyes will be on Barty, who has thrilled fans and even some big name golfers including Tiger Woods and Ian Poulter.
Speaking at an exhibition golf event in Melbourne in 2020, Woods revealed: "She's got a great Swing, are you kidding me?"
Poulter was equally impressed, according to Icons Series chief executive Thomas Brookes.
Brookes told the Sydney Morning Herald: "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.'"
World Golf Hall of Famer Karrie Webb, who will captain Australia’s golf teams at the Paris 2024 Olympics is another fan.
Webb said: “I don’t see Ash wanting to do a sport where she has to travel the world.
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"I think that’s part of what she didn’t like about tennis, being away from Australia.
"[But] I wouldn’t put it past her to be Australian amateur champion one day."
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