CLEARWATER, Florida – It’s one thing to be throwing down 3-point shots on the basketball court. It’s another thing to be throwing down 30-foot putts on the golf course. But that’s exactly what WNBA Star Caitlin Clark did this week. Playing in the Pro-Am of LPGA event, The Annika at Tampa Bay’s Pelican Golf Club, Clark’s best shot of the day was a 30-foot bomb on the 10th hole.
She admitted that golf is much more difficult than her true profession of playing for the Indiana Fever of the WNBA, but on this day she very much enjoyed her round along side defending champion Nelly Korda and Northwestern University All-American Lauryn Nguyen.
“Obviously this isn’t the environment I’m usually in, so it’s kind of a challenge and something fun that I love to do,” Clark said. “I’m just really thankful that Annika and Gainbridge had me out here. The weather turned out to be pretty nice. Everybody was like,sorry it’s kind of cold. I’m like, no, it was snowing in Indianapolis this past week. So, this is great weather for me. It was a lot of fun. I’m just really thankful I got to be here.”
While golf may not be her number one sport, Clark knows what I takes to be great. Being around the best female golfers in the world can be inspiring and humbling at the same time.
“It was a little messy off the tee. I need some lessons, because I haven’t played a ton,” she said. “But it was fun. I think any time you get to be out here and see these women do what they do really well, it’s really inspiring and really fun.”
Clark showed off a powerful swing. The ball didn’t always go where she wanted it to, but that’s golf. There were a few jitters out there as well.
“People always ask me like do I get more nervous for golf or basketball. It’s this and it’s not even remotely close,” Clark laughed. “I don’t worry about basketball too much, but there is nothing like standing on a tee box with a bunch people watching you…and this isn’t what you’re really good at. But obviously playing with Nelly and Lauren made it really easy. We just kind of took their tee ball most of the time and played from there.”
As the crowds showed it, Clark was the main attraction on Pro-Am day. She attracted ten times as many followers as the next grouping. For Tournament Host and LPGA Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam, having Clark at the event could not be better.
“I think it’s amazing,”, said Sorenstam. “It’s great to have Caitlin here. Just in general what the tournament is doing and Gainbridge is putting all these athletes together from different sports. It’s generating a lot of buzz as you know. We’ve always said this, golf brings people together. Brings friendships and partnerships. Today is a good example of that. I’m sorry I missed your golf today Caitlin. Maybe I’ll speak to the host next year”
https://www.lpga.com/tournaments/the-annika-driven-by-gainbridge-at-pelican/leaderboard
PHOTOS: Courtesy of Outlyr
