• Challenge Tour

Shevchenko hits 84 on Challenge Tour debut

ESPN staff
September 12, 2013
Left-handed Shevchenko plays off a two handicap © Getty Images
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Former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko kicked off his debut on the Challenge Tour with an opening round of 84 at the Kharkov Superior Cup in his native Ukraine.

The 36-year-old, the third highest scorer in Champions League history, has received a special invite for the event, where he teed up alongside former tennis world No. 1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov.

And despite being tied for 118th position after he finished on 12-over-par, Shevchenko was pleased with how his debut went.

"I'm so happy to have played with two really nice guys today," Shevchenko said, playing in the same group as leader Victor Riu, who hit a course record of 64 to hold a two-shot advantage.

"To play with Victor and see him shoot a course record and play fantastic golf, I learned so much about the game from the two guys.

"It's a completely different game when you are under pressure but I really enjoyed it still and so happy to be at this tournament, even if my scoring didn't go so good. It's a great experience for me.

Shevchenko, who retired from football after Euro 2012 as Ukraine's all-time leading scorer, won the European Player of the Year and the Ballon d'Or in 2004 while a Milan player.

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