Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s rising star and WNBA Rookie of the Year, is trading her basketball sneakers for golf spikes – but just temporarily, so don’t panic, Fever fans! The sharpshooting guard is set to make her Pro-Am debut at “The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican,” an LPGA event that’s bound to have more buzz than a Taylor Swift concert (which Clark, by the way, has attended twice this year).
As if leading the Fever wasn’t enough pressure, Clark will now face the ultimate challenge: not embarrassing herself while teeing off with world-class golfers. She’s paired up with none other than LPGA Player of the Year Lilia Vu, who could barely contain her excitement when she heard the news. “Oh my gosh, Caitlin Clark is coming to the Pelican!” Vu squealed like a kid who just found out they’re getting a pony for Christmas.
Clark’s been open about her love for golf in the offseason, often flexing her swing on social media between crossovers and three-pointers. But let’s be real, putting down a basketball to pick up a driver is a bold move. Golf isn’t exactly known for its buzzer-beating action or chest bumps after a successful layup. Still, Clark seems more than ready to take on the challenge, and why wouldn’t she? The event is hosted by the legendary Annika Sorenstam, and Clark will be sharing the green with the best in the game.
“Playing in the Pro-Am with a legend like Annika’s name on the event? It’s unreal,” said Clark, probably already wondering if her competitive fire will translate to golf. “Gainbridge has been a huge supporter of women’s sports, and it’s so cool to be part of this event. Plus, how often do you get to spend time with LPGA players and not be outclassed in every sport?”
If you think Clark is just there to casually hit a few balls and flash a smile, think again. She’ll also serve as a panelist at the Women’s Leadership Summit ahead of the tournament, where she’ll likely be dishing out wisdom with the same precision she uses to dish assists on the court. But come Pro-Am day, the stakes are real—well, real-ish—and Clark will no doubt bring that competitive energy, even if she’ll be trading in her dunk attempts for chip shots.
While Clark’s fans are eagerly awaiting her golf debut, it seems like her teammates on the course might be just as starstruck. Vu, for one, seems more excited about meeting Clark than winning the tournament. “I hope I get to run into her and maybe pick up a friendship bracelet or two,” Vu joked, referring to Clark’s well-documented Taylor Swift fandom.
The golf world is buzzing to see if Clark’s on-court dominance can translate into something resembling competence on the course. Will she be the next big thing in golf? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, but we can all agree on one thing: it’s going to be fun to watch her try.
So, while we wait for the next basketball season to kick off, Clark is teeing off instead of tip-off. But hey, if anyone can somehow make the world’s slowest sport exciting, it’s Caitlin Clark. Let’s just hope she doesn’t try to full-court press the fairway.
Other Noteworthy Appearances at The ANNIKA
Clark’s week at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, includes not just her Pro-Am debut but also her participation in the Women’s Leadership Summit, because apparently, playing two sports isn’t enough for her. The event, held Nov. 12-17, promises plenty of star power, both on the green and off, as top female athletes from across the globe gather for a $3.25 million purse and some friendly competition.
Now, whether Clark can sink a putt the way she sinks those deep threes remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: her presence is already elevating the game, and she’s not even swung a club yet.
