If you’re tired of hearing about Caitlin Clark lighting up the basketball court, well, too bad—because now she’s gearing up to light up the fairways. That’s right, the WNBA rookie sensation who has already made her mark by dragging the Indiana Fever into the playoffs is trading in her sneakers for golf spikes. And in true Clark fashion, she’s doing it in a big way—by teeing up alongside none other than LPGA Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam at the upcoming Pro-Am event in Florida. Move over, Steph Curry; there’s a new multi-sport athlete in town.
Scheduled for November 13 at Pelican Golf Club, Clark will attempt to conquer the world of golf just like she did with basketball—effortlessly, it seems. It’s not exactly Hoosiers, but there’s something undeniably cinematic about the WNBA’s breakout star hitting the links with a living golf legend. Who needs a movie script when you’ve got Clark’s real life?
“I love golf,” Clark said in a statement, probably while practicing her three-point putt. “The opportunity to play in a pro-am for a tournament with a legend like Annika Sorenstam’s name on it is so exciting.” This, of course, begs the question: Does Caitlin Clark ever do anything that isn’t exciting?
Fresh off an explosive rookie season where she smashed records and earned the WNBA Rookie of the Year title like it was no big deal, Clark clearly isn’t content to just rest in the offseason. Instead of binge-watching Netflix like the rest of us, she’s set her sights on swinging clubs rather than swishing threes. And naturally, because this is Caitlin Clark we’re talking about, she’s not just playing at your local country club—she’s joining a lineup of high-profile athletes and professionals in one of the sport’s elite events. No pressure or anything.
Oh, and as if that weren’t enough, Clark will also be a keynote guest at The Women’s Leadership Summit the day before she hits the greens. Talk about a busy schedule. Apparently, when you’re one of the most marketable athletes in the world, you don’t get “off” seasons—just “different” ones.
Annika Sorenstam is just as excited about the crossover moment as the rest of us. “I’ve been following Caitlin’s career for a while, and what she’s doing for women’s sports is incredible,” said Sorenstam, presumably while polishing one of her 10 major championship trophies. “I can’t wait to see her in action and spend time with her at Pelican Golf Club.” Because who wouldn’t want to golf with a basketball star who casually drops 40-point games?
But let’s get real: Golf and basketball aren’t exactly natural bedfellows. One involves a ball that’s barely bigger than a golf hole, while the other is all about launching a much larger ball into a hoop with finesse. Yet, if anyone can master both, it’s Clark, whose talent seems to know no bounds. Sure, some WNBA stars spend their offseasons in Europe or at summer camps—but Clark? She’s more interested in birdies than rest days.
While Clark’s rookie year may be behind her, her off-court escapades are proving just as entertaining as her on-court heroics. Whether or not she can actually keep up with the pros at the LPGA event is anyone’s guess, but one thing is for sure: she’s not going to pass up the opportunity to add “golf legend in training” to her already jam-packed resume.
And for those thinking this is just a one-time thing, think again. Clark has been playing golf in her downtime for years, though up until now, it’s been more of a casual hobby than a professional pursuit. But hey, if she ends up winning a green jacket someday, don’t say we didn’t warn you. With the way her career is going, it’s hard to imagine anything she can’t do.
So, as Clark prepares to go from breaking ankles on the court to breaking par on the golf course, one thing is certain: no sport is safe from her domination. Whether she’s sinking threes or sinking putts, Caitlin Clark is proving that she’s a generational athlete who’s just getting started—and we’re all just lucky to be along for the ride.
