Ukraine's leading goalscorer Andriy Shevchenko will make his debut as a professional golfer at a Challenge Tour event in his native country this week.
The former Chelsea and AC Milan striker retired from football in 2012 and has since been pursuing a second career in golf, which will begin at the Kharkov Superior Cup on Thursday.
Shevchenko will be playing alongside three-time European Tour winner Nick Dougherty and former Ryder Cup player Oliver Wilson, and the 36-year-old has admitted that he expects the tournament to be a step up from anything he has competed in to date.
"This is the first big event for me and of course it is the first major professional tournament here in Ukraine," he told reporters.
"I have played with many good players in Pro-Ams but it's very different out here. I'm looking forward to it and hope I play well but it's my first event so I just want to have a good time and enjoy the week."
Shevchenko scored 48 goals for Ukraine in 111 appearances, the last of which came at the 2012 European Championships.
Joe Fish
