Caitlin Clark’s crossover into golf has the sports world buzzing. From dominating the basketball court to wowing fans at the Annika Pro-Am, can this generational star land a $5 billion golf sponsorship without ever turning pro? Let’s dive into her marketability, her record-breaking impact, and why brands across industries are lining up for a piece of the Caitlin Clark effect. Spoiler: It’s like Steph Curry meets Tiger Woods with a basketball twist!
Caitlin Clark a professional golfer? That’s the ‘goal’ this summer
Caitlin Clark a professional golfer? That’s the ‘goal’ this summer
After the Indiana Fever were eliminated from the WNBA playoffs on Wednesday night, star rookie Caitlin Clark was ready for a break – from basketball at least.
The 22-year-old Clark has logged nearly 80 games since last October, when her senior season began at Iowa. She’s already said she wouldn’t be playing hoops overseas this summer, and she remained uncommitted to any other competitive leagues stateside until WNBA training camp resumes next April.
She was, however, looking forward to breaking out the clubs.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do tomorrow. I don’t know what I’m going to do the next day. Maybe play some golf,” said Clark, who has previously stated that she usually shoots in the low 80s. “That’s what I’m gonna do until it gets too cold in Indiana. I’ll become a professional golfer.”
The LPGA could only dream.
Scary moment for fans as Caitlin Clark shanks one at pro-am
Caitlin Clark had fans ducking at The Annika pro-am golf event on Wednesday.
The Fever star nearly took out some fans with a golf ball when she shanked one at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla., as seen in videos posted from the course.
The crowd reacted with a loud “Ooh” when the ball flew over the heads of fans that were lined up to catch Clark on the course.
“Sorry,” Clark said before a bunch of onlookers began laughing.
“Fore!” someone was heard yelling.
Clark signed the ball that veered left on the par-3 ninth and gave it to a fan who apparently got hit, according to Golfweek.
The WNBA All-Star — who wore her Nike Infinity Tour 2 PE’s in the color pink with gold spikes — was cracking jokes and talking with fans afterward.
“I just don’t want to hit anyone with a golf ball,” a laughing Clark said before the event. “That is my No. 1 priority.”
Caitlin Clark shanked one during a Pro-Am prior to The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2024 at Pelican Golf Club on November 13, 2024 in Belleair, Florida.X
Clark, who described herself as an “average” player, doubled down on that while walking in between holes on Wednesday.
“I don’t get nervous for basketball, but I got a little nervous for this because I don’t want to hit anybody,” she said.
Clark went on to play the front nine in a foursome with tournament host and Swedish golf legend Annika Sorenstam and Nelly Korda, the No. 1 ranked LPGA golfer in the world.
Caitlin Clark during a Pro-Am prior to The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2024 at Pelican Golf Club on November 13, 2024 in Belleair, Florida.Getty Images
Caitlin Clark and Nelly Korda pose for a photo before teeing off at a Pro-Am prior to The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2024 at Pelican Golf Club on November 13, 2024 in Belleair, Florida.Getty Images
Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, and Korda exchanged “jerseys” at one point.
She played in Wednesday’s Annika pro-am before the tournament rounds will take place Nov. 14-17.
Two days prior, Clark took in the Butler-Western Michigan men’s basketball game, where she was seen sitting courtside with Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton and his girlfriend Jade Jones at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The trio are close friends, along with Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, who is an assistant coach for Butler.
Caitlin Clark prepares to putt on the third green during a Pro-Am prior to The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2024 at Pelican Golf Club on November 13, 2024 in Belleair, Florida.
The former Iowa All-American played her last collegiate game on April 7 — a loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks 87-75, in the NCAA title game.
Clark went pro eight days later when she selected with the No. 1 overall pick by the Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Fever guardCaitlin Clark looks on during Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs against the Sun on September 25, 2024 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.NBAE via Getty Images
Clark has yet to determine if she will take her talents to the Unrivaled League, a new 3-on-3 league founded by the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and the Lynx’s Napheesa Collier.
Unrivaled — which was created so that players could have financial stability in the offseason and don’t have to go overseas to play — will take place in Miami from January until March during the WNBA offseason.
“We’ll see,” Clark told ESPN during new Fever coach Stephanie White’s introductory press conference on last Monday. “I don’t know. Just taking it as it goes, and see if I want to play eventually.”
Clark was reportedly offered a “[Lionel] Messi-like offer” to join the league for more than $1 million plus revenue-sharing opportunities.
Each player in the Unrivaled inaugural season will get equity in the league.
