‘Scared her’: NFL giant dwarfs Ash Barty in hilarious Icons Series mismatch

Ash Barty said she was nervous before her Icons Series debut but organisers took the mickey when they paired her for her match.

Barty looks like a little kid compared to Whitworth. Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images

If Ash Barty wanted to take the world on as a pro golfer, there would be very few people who would be able to bet against her making it a success.

Barty has more than impressed in the Icons Series, playing as the only woman among a field of 24 legends from US and international sports.

Watch LIVE coverage from The USPGA Tour with Fox Sports on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Although the Rest of the World were schooled by the USA stars 21.5 points to 11.5, Barty more than held her own.

Already down 10-5 after day one, it got worse for the Rest of the World as it was 13.5-7.5 after the first four-ball.

Barty and football star Harry Kane lost to LA Rams Super Bowl champion tackle Andrew Whitworth and San Francisco 49ers place-kicker Robbie Gould.

But as the attention turned to singles with a hint of victory still possible, Barty got the ROTW on the board, defeating Whitworth one-up.

And it delivered a comical mismatch as the 201cm, 150kg Whitworth towered over the 166cm Aussie champion.

Barty and Whitworth. Photo: Fox Sports

After the round, Barty was as gracious as she always is.

“It was great to be out here with Andrew, it was great to get to know him a little bit more,” she said. “Played well which is always nice.

“It’s never about the result. Honestly, it’s been an incredible week, and incredible experience to get to know iconic athletes from around the globe that are the very best at what they do that share this love and hobby in golf.

“Beautiful setting, beautiful golf course, incredible atmosphere, incredible series and it was a lot of fun. It was just nice to come here and really enjoy it and hopefully next time there’s a few more girls to come and join me.”

The interviewer then added: “Verbatim during the commercial break, she told me everything about you (Whitworth) scared her out there”.

“She just played great,” Whitworth said of Barty. “Give credit to her, she played awesome golf from six all the way in, she was hitting it really well. It’s tough when you get down in these things, it’s a quick match.”

On ya Ash! Photo: Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP

Barty is no slouch on the golf course having added the Brookwater Golf and Country Club ladies competition in April to her Australian Open, Wimbledon and French Open grand slam titles.

She also plays off a handicap of 4.

Before the event, she said she was looking forward to the challenge.

“I’m going to absolutely be struggling,” Barty told Fox Sports’ golf expert Paul Gow in an interview before the event.

“My heart was beating so fast playing the club championships in our final with nothing on the line, so this is going to be a lot of fun.

“I will just soak it all in, if it (my first tee shot) goes badly it’s all right, it is what it is, just go out and enjoy it with a smile.”

Turns out she needn’t have been nervous.

Great photo this one. Photo: Fox Sports

For what it’s worth, baseball icon John Smoltz destroyed Ponting three up in the singles. Ponting and West Indian cricket legend Brian Lara also lost to NFL great Ben Roethlisberger and swimming legend Michael Phelps in the fours earlier in the day, also three-down.

Rugby legend George Gregan was also beaten by NFL legend Michael Strahan two-up, while his pair up with Scottish rugby great Gavin Hastings lost by two to NBA star JR Smith and former Super Bowl champion Golden Tate.