Jayden Hunt: Ex-West Coast Eagle turned golfer misses the mark in ambitious new career

Former West Coast star Jayden Hunt was given a rude awakening as the recently retired Eagle began his ambitious new sporting career this week.

The 30-year-old retired from AFL at the end of last season, finishing his career with 172 games played across Melbourne and West Coast, with his sights set on a new sport.

Hunt honed in his golfing prowess and made the bold choice to pursue a new career, attempting to turn pro as a different kind of athlete.

Six months on from hanging up the boots, Hunt worked his impressive handicap of 5.6 down to a 0.9 to enter the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School - a remarkable feat in itself.

Teeing off for the first stage of qualifying school at Moonah Links Golf Course in Victoria, Hunt competed in a pool of 82 golfers all fighting to make it to the next stage.

Starting at the 10th tee-box on Thursday, Hunt opened his birdie account on the fourteenth to get back to even after an early bogie, before an unfortunate double saw him walk into the back nine at three over.

Hunt finished his day carding a pair of triples and back-to-back bogeys to come away with a opening score of 83 at 11-over-par and sitting equal 79th.

The Demon turned Eagle fired a better response on Friday, Hunt managed to avoid any punishing triples but a string of bogeys saw the footy star turned swinger shoot an 81 and finish eight-over-par for the day.

Ultimately Hunt missed the cut line to play on through the weekend by eight strokes, ending his Q-School journey at 20-over-par from two rounds.

Despite missing the chance to compete in Q-School, the former Eagle was prepared to struggle before his journey began.

“I’m sort of under no illusions, like, I doubt I’ll go too well at Q School, but I thought, why not?” Hunt previously told 7News.

“And my competitive nature will sort of give me a good chance to compete as much as I possibly can.”

Hunt played 58-games for West Coast since making the move from Melbourne in 2023, including 15 games during a tumultuous one-win season last year.

Since retiring the Harold Ball Memorial Trophy winner has lived and breathed golf, travelling the world to play and hosting a podcast dedicated to the sport.