BELLEAIR, Fla. — Caitlin Clark, renowned for her basketball prowess, made a memorable appearance at the LPGA Tour on Wednesday, participating in a pro-am event that drew a crowd larger than many typical tournament rounds.
Clark played alongside top female golfer Nelly Korda, who recently returned from a minor neck injury and had not competed in nearly two months. In addition, Clark teamed up with golf legend Annika Sorenstam while playing the back nine at Pelican Golf Club during a tournament she hosts.
When interviewed briefly by the Golf Channel, Clark shared her admiration for Korda’s skills. “I’ve watched and she’s amazing,” Clark noted, reflecting on the complexities of golf. “But golf is hard.”
The event attracted a sizable gallery who gathered to witness Clark’s performance, with the star athlete taking time afterward to sign autographs for numerous fans.
Clark is affiliated with Gainbridge, an Indiana-based company that serves as the presenting sponsor for this LPGA tournament. She also participated in a women’s summit organized by the company. Brittany Lincicome highlighted the importance of such events, stating, “It can only help grow women’s golf,” while presenting Clark with a basketball for her daughters to sign.
Korda comes from an impressive sports family; her sister, Jessica, has played in the Solheim Cup, and her brother, Sebastian, ranks No. 23 in men’s tennis. Their father, Petr Korda, is a former champion, having won the Australian Open in 1998. Despite their interactions on Instagram, Korda found the in-person experience of spending time with Clark to be unmatched.
Witnessing the influence Clark has in the sports world was particularly moving for Korda. “To see the influence that she has on people, bringing people out here, and to see how amazing of an influence she is just for sports, was really cool to see firsthand today,” Korda remarked.
Clark enjoys playing golf as an escape and has participated in the John Deere Classic pro-am on the PGA Tour in the past. She even contributed a putt from a distance akin to a three-point shot in basketball.
“It was great to see how relaxed she was,” Korda commented. “With the media attention she has gotten in the past year-and-a-half, you can see she’s comfortable playing in front of larger crowds, and she was genuinely enjoying it.”
Korda noted Clark’s impressive talent throughout the day, specifically mentioning how well she struck the ball. However, Clark’s commitment to her basketball career likely means she only makes it to the golf course once a week.
Korda last played at the Kroger Queen City Championship on September 22, just a week after leading her teammates to a victory in the Solheim Cup. She revealed that she has been experiencing migraines, suggesting that her neck issues that sidelined her from the Asian swing could be related.
Despite any setbacks, Korda has already secured the title of LPGA Player of the Year for the first time and currently leads the Race to CME Globe. She still aims to win the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship next week, which boasts a hefty $4 million prize for the victor.
