Caitlin Clark Draws Huge Early-Morning Crowds at LPGA Event

Caitlin Clark drew large crowds Wednesday morning at the LPGA Tour pro-am event in Florida, as she played golf alongside No. 1–ranked Nelly Korda and tournament host Annika Sörenstam.

Despite Clark teeing off at 7 a.m. ET  just after sunrise—and sending an early-round tee shot into the gallery—fans followed her intently throughout the day at Pelican Golf Club in the Tampa Bay area. The Indiana Fever star and WNBA Rookie of the Year gave a big boost to the tournament, which is named The Annika driven by Gainbridge, including increased ticket sales and overall media exposure.

Golf Channel aired Clark’s 18th hole live, after moving up its studio show Golf Today by 90 minutes to an 11 a.m. ET start time. “She’s really elevated this event,” Sörenstam said from the fairway. Highlights of Clark’s round dominated social media Wednesday, with NBC Sports, Golf Channel, and LPGA accounts posting various shots, putts, and crowd interactions. 

“It’s just great for women’s sports,” said Korda, who did a “jersey swap” with Clark after finishing her nine-hole practice round. “I love that she has a love for the game of golf. I’ve never really tuned in to watching basketball before her, honestly. So, I think it’s just growing the interest in all women’s sports, and I hope that’s what grows from this relationship.” Several other LPGA pros were waiting at the 18th green to introduce themselves to Clark and take a photo with the WNBA phenom.

“I don’t get nervous for basketball, but I got a little nervous for this, because I don’t want to hit anybody,” Clark said during a walk-and-talk interview midway through her round. “But honestly, I’m just trying to have fun. I don’t really care how I play.”

Clark has an endorsement deal with tournament sponsor Gainbridge, which facilitated the collaboration with the LPGA. “Women’s sports is on the rise,” Clark said. “This is only the beginning. It’s only going to get better and better. I’ve been a fan for my whole life. So, it’s cool for it to be where it is now, but I know it can go to even better places.”

In her first WNBA offseason, Clark said she’s been in the weight room and hasn’t had that much downtime, as she continues to be courted by the Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league. “It’s nice, but at the same time, I’m still so busy,” she said. “I gotta get things done that I haven’t been able to do during basketball season. So, everybody thinks I have a bunch of free time, but I’ve been busy.”

Clark participated in a women’s leadership summit Tuesday but isn’t scheduled to be at the remainder of the tournament.