Caitlin Clark, WNBA sensation and this season’s Rookie of the Year, has been making waves—on the court and off it. But forget her Indiana Fever highlights for a moment, because this baller is about to try her hand at golf! Yep, you heard that right. Clark is set to play in “The ANNIKA,” a Pro-Am golf tournament, because clearly dominating basketball wasn’t enough for her.
Partnering up with golf legend Annika Sörenstam at the Pelican Golf Club in Florida, Clark will tee off at this high-profile LPGA event. The tournament boasts a purse of $3.25 million, but before you think Clark is about to add a golf trophy (and a fat check) to her mantle, hold up. There’s a catch, and it’s a big one: She’s not allowed to win a single dime.
The Almost $3.25 Million Dream
Clark might be taking swings with Sörenstam, who’s basically the Michael Jordan of women’s golf, but she won’t be cashing in on any of that sweet, sweet prize money. Why? Because celebrities like Clark get to play for fun, not fortune. Pro-Am rules make it crystal clear that amateurs can’t pocket any of the prize dough. So, Caitlin, sorry, but you’ll just have to stick to your measly four-year $338,056 WNBA contract. Oh, and don’t forget about your tiny $28 million Nike endorsement deal—because, you know, sneakers don’t sell themselves!
From Courts to Courses, But No Cash
“I love golf, so the opportunity to play with Annika is amazing,” said Clark, whose enthusiasm for the sport is almost as high as her three-point shooting percentage. But let’s be real—she’s probably eyeing the fairways thinking, “This isn’t so different from basketball. Just replace the net with a hole and take away all the running.”
Still, even with a shot at swinging alongside the GOAT, Clark’s journey into golf won’t end in dollar signs. Nope, according to the rules laid down by the USGA, amateurs like Clark can’t win more than $1,000 in any competition, and this tournament is no exception. Who needs a few extra million anyway when you’re making headlines left, right, and center?
Annika Sörenstam: The GOAT Meets the Rookie
And let’s not forget Clark’s partner, Annika Sörenstam, a literal golf icon who’s won 72 LPGA Tour events and 10 major championships. If there’s one golfer you’d want on your side for a Pro-Am, it’s her. Sörenstam’s been out of the pro-golf scene since 2008, but she’s still smashing records—on the golf course and as a philanthropist.
Imagine Clark and Sörenstam strategizing on the green: Clark with her fire and determination, and Sörenstam with her zen-like mastery. Maybe Sörenstam will even give Clark a pointer or two on how to avoid bunkers in life—because, let’s face it, with all the madness surrounding Clark’s growing fame, a little wisdom could go a long way.
Swing, Miss, or Something Else?
So, while Caitlin Clark won’t be walking away from the Pelican Golf Club with millions (or even thousands), she’ll be gaining something else—yet another moment in the spotlight. And who knows? Maybe she’ll prove she’s not just a baller but also a golfer-in-the-making. After all, if she can sink threes, how hard can it be to sink a putt?
But until she’s cashing in on her hole-in-one dreams, Clark will just have to be content with… you know… her multimillion-dollar endorsements. And let’s be real, that’s a pretty sweet consolation prize.
As Caitlin Clark steps onto the fairway, one thing’s for sure—whether it’s basketball or golf, she’ll be making headlines, whether there’s prize money in her future or not.
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