Andrei Shevchenko will be turning out on a more unfamiliar green surface this week when the former Ukranian international makes his professional golf debut on the Challenge Tour.
We saw the former AC Milan legend on these shores recently when he had a round at Carton House prior to the Irish Open, but makes his debut today on the second-tier Kharkov Superior Tour in Ukraine.
And he will be in sporting good company, with former tennis player Yuvgeny Kafelnikov also showing his all-round abilities, while on the golfing front, with ex-Ryder Cup player Oliver Wilson and former European Tour winner Nick Dougherty.
Always deadly accurate on the green in front of goals, Shevchenko will hope his accuracy and execution will transcend itself onto the golf course, with a prize fund of €200,000 for the event awaiting the competitors.
“This is the first big event for me and of course it is the first event in Ukraine so it’s a huge event for golf in this country,” Shevchenko said.
“I have played with many good players in pro-ams but this is different. I hope I play well…but I just want to have a good time and enjoy the week.”
Shevchenko has conceded that the course will pose a lot of difficulties, but luckily for him the president of the course is a personal friend and his daughter will be caddying for the former European Player of the Year.
