The “Caitlin Clark effect” was on full display as the Indiana Fever star began her LPGA journey at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican event in Belleair, Florida.
During Wednesday’s pro-am, Clark teamed up with world No. 1 Nelly Korda for the front nine and joined 10-time major champion Annika Sorenstam, who is also hosting the tournament, for the back nine. While she played alongside golfing legends, her own star power shone brightly.
Photos shared by sports photographer Bri Lewerke on X (formerly Twitter) showed Caitlin Clark surrounded by enthusiastic fans.
Clark was also photographed signing autographs and engaging with her supporters.
Unlike most pro-am events, which draw only small crowds, Clark’s participation attracted a large following, with fans tracking her every move from hole to hole.
Caitlin Clark shares a humorous goal for the LPGA event
Known as a sharpshooter in basketball, Clark joked about her goal for the LPGA event at Tuesday’s Women’s Leadership Summit, saying her main aim was to avoid hitting anyone with a golf ball.
“I’m strong, and I can hit it. It just usually doesn’t go straight,” Clark said (per ESPN). “I mean sometimes it goes straight, but it depends. You just step up there and hope for the best. … I just don’t want to hit anyone with a golf ball. That’s my No. 1 priority.”
She also clarified that she had no serious plans to go pro in golf.
“No, I’ve practiced a little, and I just joked about becoming a professional golfer. Everyone thought I was serious. I was not serious. I love it, I love being outside, and I enjoy making it competitive with my friends.”
During the event, Clark shared that she grew up playing golf with her father and named PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy as her favorite golfer. The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican event, featuring Caitlin Clark, runs until Sunday.
Before her standout rookie season in the WNBA, Clark participated in the 2023 John Deere Classic pro-am.
In her first WNBA season, Clark averaged 19.2 points, a league-leading 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds, shattering multiple records to earn Rookie of the Year honors.
Though many WNBA players usually join international leagues in the offseason and some are set to compete in the upcoming Unrivaled 3×3 league with stars like Angel Reese, Clark has chosen to focus on golf for now, despite receiving an offer to join the Unrivaled league.
Caitlin Clark shares a humorous goal for the LPGA event
Known as a sharpshooter in basketball, Clark joked about her goal for the LPGA event at Tuesday’s Women’s Leadership Summit, saying her main aim was to avoid hitting anyone with a golf ball.
“I’m strong, and I can hit it. It just usually doesn’t go straight,” Clark said (per ESPN). “I mean sometimes it goes straight, but it depends. You just step up there and hope for the best. … I just don’t want to hit anyone with a golf ball. That’s my No. 1 priority.”
She also clarified that she had no serious plans to go pro in golf.
“No, I’ve practiced a little, and I just joked about becoming a professional golfer. Everyone thought I was serious. I was not serious. I love it, I love being outside, and I enjoy making it competitive with my friends.”
During the event, Clark shared that she grew up playing golf with her father and named PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy as her favorite golfer. The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican event, featuring Caitlin Clark, runs until Sunday.
Before her standout rookie season in the WNBA, Clark participated in the 2023 John Deere Classic pro-am.
In her first WNBA season, Clark averaged 19.2 points, a league-leading 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds, shattering multiple records to earn Rookie of the Year honors.
Though many WNBA players usually join international leagues in the offseason and some are set to compete in the upcoming Unrivaled 3×3 league with stars like Angel Reese, Clark has chosen to focus on golf for now, despite receiving an offer to join the Unrivaled league.
