In an epic crossover that sports fans never saw coming, Indiana Fever’s basketball prodigy Caitlin Clark is about to trade the hardwood for the fairway—and she’s doing it alongside none other than World No.1 golfer, Nelly Korda. Yep, you read that right. Caitlin Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, fresh off a stellar basketball season that saw the Fever exit the playoffs in September, is headed to the LPGA Tour.
Now, let’s be real—Clark’s love for golf isn’t exactly breaking news. She’s practically been shouting it from the rooftops, having hinted more than once that she’s considering going pro… in golf! While she’s not quite ready to toss her basketball sneakers in the trash, her upcoming pro-am match alongside Korda might be another step toward realizing her “Hey, I’m going to be a golf superstar too” dreams.
Clark will be hitting the links at The Annika driven by Gainbridge pro-am event next month. And yes, she’ll be teeing off with Korda, the same Nelly Korda who’s won six tournaments this year and is currently recovering from an injury because, you know, being the best sometimes requires a break.
So, what exactly is this event? A nine-hole pro-am tourney that happens just before the real competition kicks off from November 14-17. And while Clark isn’t switching to golf full-time just yet, her passion for the sport is crystal clear. This isn’t even her first rodeo. She took part in the John Deere Classic pro-am last year, swinging alongside golf aces like Ludvig Åberg and Ryder Cup legend Zach Johnson. It seems Clark’s not just satisfied with making defenders look silly on the court—she’s here to outdrive golfers too.
In a recent press release, Clark couldn’t contain her excitement (because who could?) about playing in an event named after golf royalty, Annika Sörenstam. “I love golf,” she said. “Playing in a tournament with Annika’s name on it? Sign me up. And hey, if I happen to steal some of Nelly’s thunder along the way, so be it.”
This fun little golf fling isn’t the only thing Clark has on her schedule. A day before the pro-am, she’ll be sitting on the panel at the Women’s Leadership Summit. Because clearly, dominating on a basketball court and a golf course isn’t enough—Clark also needs to show the world that she’s a leadership expert.
As for Nelly Korda, she’s had a season that could only be described as “dominant.” Six wins on the LPGA Tour, including a major victory at the Chevron Championship. And though she’s been sidelined from a couple of Asian Tour events due to injury, don’t think for a second that Clark’s swooping in for an easy ride. Korda’s a competitor, and even if it’s just a pro-am, the chance to tee off against a WNBA star who’s quickly becoming a dual-sport threat? You can bet she’ll take it seriously.
The question on everyone’s mind: Will Caitlin Clark’s smooth jumper translate to a silky golf swing? Or will Korda, with her seasoned skills, show Clark that perhaps basketball should remain her main gig? Either way, sports fans are in for a treat because when two top athletes from different worlds collide, anything can happen.
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