In a plot twist no one saw coming, Caitlin Clark is swapping her WNBA sneakers for golf spikes this offseason. That’s right, folks, the Indiana Fever star isn’t heading to some far-off basketball league across the globe like most of her peers. Instead, she’s hitting the links! Clark is all set to make her LPGA Tour debut in a tournament that boasts none other than golf legend Annika Sorenstam as the host. Because when you’re Caitlin Clark, why not make your offseason as headline-worthy as your rookie year?
The “ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge” tournament will take place from November 11 to 17 at the prestigious Pelican Golf Club, located in Belleair, Florida. Expect some serious wattage on the green as Clark and Sorenstam tee it up in a week-long extravaganza of golf and, presumably, some of the most intense trash talk the LPGA has ever witnessed.
Clark, Now a Panelist, Soon a Golf Prodigy?
Before Caitlin shows off her skills with a 9-iron, she’ll grace the stage as a panelist at the Women’s Leadership Summit on November 12. Because, you know, dominating basketball, setting rookie records, and being a golf star apparently isn’t enough. Someone had to remind us that she’s also a powerhouse speaker. Then, on November 13, she’ll step onto the golf course for the Wednesday Pro-Am, where she’ll play alongside Sorenstam, a 10-time major champion who knows a thing or two about winning (kind of like Caitlin herself).
“Playing in a Pro-Am? With Annika Sorenstam? Are you kidding me? Of course, I said yes,” Clark said in what might be the understatement of the year. “I love golf, so this is a dream come true.”
From Fever to Fairway: Clark’s Offseason Plan
Now, let’s not forget how we got here. After the Indiana Fever’s playoff hopes were unceremoniously squashed by the Connecticut Sun, Clark revealed her somewhat unexpected offseason plans. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t involve a basketball. During the post-game interview, she casually dropped a bombshell that she’s basically going full Tiger Woods mode this winter.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do tomorrow. Maybe play some golf. Actually, yeah, that’s what I’ll do until Indiana turns into a frozen tundra,” Clark joked, hinting that her days of breaking ankles on the court will be temporarily traded for breaking par on the golf course.
And for those hoping she might be pulling double duty in the basketball world, ESPN’s Ryan Ruocco dashed those dreams, revealing during Game 2 of the Fever’s first-round series that Clark “almost definitely” won’t be playing any organized basketball this offseason. Yes, you heard it right — no hoops until April.
Caitlin Clark’s Rookie Year: A Quick Recap
It’s not like Clark hasn’t earned some time away from the court. Her rookie season was a statistical marvel. She averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds while rewriting the WNBA record books like it was her personal diary. Clark obliterated the rookie records for points and assists, set the league’s single-game assist record with a jaw-dropping 19 dimes, and became the first rookie in Fever history to log a triple-double.
And let’s not even get started on her 3-pointers. If anyone finds the basketball nets in Indiana, let us know — because they’re still on fire.
From Rookie Sensation to LPGA Pro?
So, what’s next? While other WNBA stars are packing their bags for international leagues or prepping for the Unrivaled 3×3 league, Clark is breaking new ground. Or, in this case, breaking out the golf clubs. Could a second career in the LPGA be on the horizon? Well, if she keeps racking up accomplishments like this, don’t be surprised if “Pro Golfer” joins “Record-Breaking WNBA Rookie” on her résumé.
As Caitlin Clark herself put it, “I’m ready to tee it up with the pros. Just don’t expect me to drop 19 assists on the fairway.”