Ash Barty spills on encounter with Tiger Woods amid sporting comeback

In the middle of her international sporting comeback this weekend, Ash Barty has opened up on the time she was starstruck by Tiger Woods.

Ash Barty has opened up on her brush with golfing legend Tiger Woods as she makes her return to international sporting competition this weekend.

The Queenslander has shown how serious she is about exploring a golfing career by signing up for the Icons Series where she will be watched on by a global TV audience while going head to head with some of the biggest names in sport, including 23-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps, NFL quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, boxing megastar Canelo Alvarez, English footballer Harry Kane and Aussie cricket legend Ricky Ponting.

Watch every stroke of Day 2 of the Icons Series 2022 from 4am AEST Saturday 2 July 2022 EXCLUSIVELY LIVE on FOX SPORTS available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

It was a mixed first day of results for Barty, who paired up with Tottenham star Kane to win their “Greensome” tie.

But the duo lost their four-ball match-up against former baseball pitcher John Smoltz and ex-NBA star J.R. Smith.

Barty then teamed up with fellow Aussie Ponting, but they lost their four-ball match to former NFL players Reggie Bush and Michael Vick.

Ash Barty is taking part in the Icons golf Series in New Jersey. Photo: Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP

The second day of the competition will be broadcast around the world and to get your golf fix, watch the Icons Series on Fox Sports and Kayo from 4am (AEST) on Saturday morning.

Barty won the ladies competition at the Brookwater Golf and Country Club in Brisbane’s outskirts in April and she plays off a handicap of 4.

She has always been a talented golfer and it was just over two years ago when Barty stunned Woods at an exhibition event.

“She’s got a great swing, are you kidding me?” Woods exclaimed after Barty lofted a wedge into Melbourne’s Yarra River ahead of the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne.

Reflecting on that moment, Barty confessed she was extremely nervous swing a golf club just metres away from Woods but she couldn’t have struck the ball any better.

“I hit it too well, I really did,” she told Fox Sports golf expert Paul Gow in an interview on Fox Sports and Kayo ahead of this weekend’s Icons Series.

“I was trying to overthink and the balls were balls that would float, so they were a bit different. I just completely overthought it but absolutely flushed it and hit it well.

“It was really nice to experience something that really put me out of my comfort zone and to have so many incredible golfers surrounding (me). We got a couple of cool photos from photographers behind me hitting a golf ball, which I never thought in my life would happen.

“But a hell of an experience to be able to watch them as well at Royal Melbourne — one of the most demanding courses in Australia.

Ash Barty strikes a ball into the Yarra River in front of Tiger Woods. Photo: Fox Sports.

Tiger (right) was impressed. Photo: Fox Sports.

“To be able to watch those boys go around and show what they can do and show how they can adjust. I really enjoyed that from an athletic point of view and from an athlete but also as a fan and seeing those boys at their very best.”

Asked what impressed her most about Woods, Barty responded: “His longevity, honestly.

“He’s one of the greatest that’s ever played the game and I think the way he’s been able to have such a long career, such a successful career and continue the fight, the competitiveness, the demeanour that he does, without losing that little bit of flair and that real Tiger that he is. “He’s got that competitive nature, he’s an absolute beast. I think the way that he goes about it is really impressive and it has certainly inspired generations to pick up a golf club and try it out and see how they go.

“When you’ve got those athletes, they’re few and far between and I think it’s really been a privilege for a lot of people all around the globe to watch him do what he does and really dominated the sport.”

After day one of the Icons Series, team USA held a 10-5 overall lead over team Rest of the World.