Whole new ball game for Shevchenko as former Chelsea striker makes Challenge Tour debut at Kharkov Superior Cup

Andriy Shevchenko will be up against a few Englishmen this week but there's no need for Roy Hodgson to worry. 

Shevchenko is teeing it up at the Kharkov Superior Cup in the next step of a dramatic career change for the former Chelsea striker. 

The 36-year-old Ukrainian is making his Challenge Tour debut having played in several Pro-Ams since hanging up his boots last year.

 

Tee time: Andriy Shevchenko will make his Challenge Tour debut at the Kharkov Superior Cup this week

But he'll be stepping up a level to take on some of golf's top prospects and experienced campaigners like former Ryder Cup player Oliver Wilson and three-time European Tour winner Nick Dougherty. 

Shevchenko, who will watch the crunch World Cup qualifier between his countryman and Hodgson's England in Kiev before heading back to Kharkov, is relishing the challenge. 

He said: 'This is the first big event for me and of course it is the first event here in Ukraine so it's a huge event for golf in this country.

Legend: Shevchenko, in action against England at the Euros last year, won over 100 caps for Ukraine

'The course is quite difficult. I'm happy with my game at the moment and I'm really happy to be here. I know the president of the club, he is my good friend and his daughter has been caddying for me. He invited me to come and I had to. 

'I love it here. It's nice the Challenge Tour have decided to come here. It's great for us.

'I have played with many good players in Pro-Ams but it's different here. I'm looking forward to it and hope I play well but it's my first event and I just want to have a good time and enjoy the week.' 

Shevchenko, who scored 48 goals in 111 matches for Ukraine, started out at Dynamo Kiev before moving to AC Milan. 

After an unsuccessful spell at Stamford Bridge he returned to the San Siro on loan before finishing his career back in Kiev.

You can't win them all: Shevchenko had a miserable time at Chelsea before heading back to AC Milan