Caitlin Clark is back in her competitive element. After an injury-shortened WNBA season, the Indiana Fever star is returning to action not on the basketball court, but on the golf course. On Wednesday morning, Clark will tee off in The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, joining one of the most prestigious events in women’s golf.
The event marks a meaningful moment for Clark, who has spent the past months rehabilitating injuries to her groin and ankle that derailed her sophomore WNBA season. Now, as her body heals, she is ready to rekindle that competitive fire in a sport she has loved since childhood.
A Return Beyond Basketball
Golf has always been a quiet passion for Caitlin Clark. Growing up in West Des Moines, Iowa, she loved the sport’s individual challenge and mental discipline. It offered her something basketball never could stillness amid competition. After spending a season battling her own body, that serenity feels like a homecoming.
“I’m not a professional golfer, so I think just having fun,” Clark said ahead of the event. “I’m going to hit some good shots, I’m going to hit some bad shots. It is what it is. I’m just going to try not to hit anyone standing outside the ropes.”
Her return isn’t about winning trophies. It’s about reconnecting with the spirit of sport the same joy that first drew her to basketball and golf alike.
The Perfect Stage for a Comeback
Clark’s participation in The ANNIKA Pro-Am comes as part of her ongoing partnership with Gainbridge, the Zionsville-based company that signed her to an endorsement deal during her college days at the University of Iowa. Everything about her inclusion feels poetic an Iowa-born competitor returning to a Midwestern-sponsored event, surrounded by some of the best athletes in the world.
Teeing off around 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, Clark will open her round with Nelly Korda, the reigning champion who has won three of the past four titles at Pelican. The two played together last year, and Korda has made no secret of her admiration for Clark’s poise under pressure.
“I was really impressed with her game,” Korda said after last year’s event. “She was so comfortable playing in front of everyone. It’s amazing to see how many people she draws into any sport.”
Later in the day, Clark will be paired with Lauryn Nguyen, a promising young golfer and sponsor invitee. Between holes, fans can expect laughs and camaraderie especially with Clark’s Fever teammates Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham serving as her celebrity caddies.
The Event That Transcends Sports
The ANNIKA Pro-Am, hosted by Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam, is one of the most anticipated events on the LPGA calendar. For Sorenstam, having Clark back is more than a headline it’s a celebration of shared passion and authenticity.
“She left a really good impression on everyone, especially me,” Sorenstam said. “She’s down to earth, she loves the game, and she brings a new energy to it. I’m so glad she’s coming back.”
Last year, Clark’s appearance increased Pro-Am attendance by more than 1,200 percent. Crowds lined the fairways in unprecedented numbers just to catch a glimpse of her. This year promises even bigger numbers, as fans, families, and media outlets flock to Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
The energy is expected to be electric. Tournament owner Dan Doyle described last year’s turnout as “unbelievable,” saying the 2025 event will likely be “overwhelming in the best way.”
A Gathering of Champions and Icons
Clark’s participation adds star power to an already packed lineup. Alongside Korda and Nguyen, other notable names include soccer legend Briana Scurry, who is serving as a celebrity caddie after speaking at the Women’s Summit, and NASCAR driver Carson Hocevar, another Gainbridge ambassador.
Among the rising stars in the field is 17-year-old Kai Trump, granddaughter of former President Donald Trump. With nearly 1.5 million YouTube subscribers and a commitment to play college golf at the University of Miami, she represents a new generation of athletes merging performance with media influence.
“Kai brings a younger audience to golf, which is so important,” Clark said. “What she’s doing for the sport is amazing. It reminds me of how basketball has evolved, too. We’re all trying to grow women’s sports and show how powerful these moments can be.”
Security around the course has been notably tight this year, with Secret Service presence signaling just how high-profile the event has become. Yet despite the increased spotlight, the atmosphere remains celebratory and inclusive something Clark herself values deeply.
Sports as a Shared Language
“Sports unite people,” Clark said during last year’s event, a sentiment that still resonates today. “That’s what this feels like too it’s bringing people together where they can find joy in something. Some of my best memories are just being around family and friends and enjoying the energy of sports.”
That philosophy underpins everything about Clark’s return. Her connection to fans isn’t built on celebrity or status; it’s grounded in authenticity. Whether she’s hitting a perfect drive or slicing into the rough, she approaches the game with the same humility that made her one of the most beloved figures in women’s basketball.
A Symbol of Resilience
This year has tested Clark in ways that go beyond the scoreboard. Her groin and ankle injuries sidelined her for much of the WNBA season, forcing her to confront a reality that few elite athletes enjoy patience. Rehabilitation is a lonely grind, filled with uncertainty and frustration. But through it all, she’s remained grounded, focused on healing, and optimistic about what lies ahead.
Golf, in many ways, has become a form of therapy. It allows her to compete without the physical strain of basketball while still feeding her insatiable drive to improve. Every swing, every putt, every moment on the course becomes part of her comeback story.
Conclusion: A New Chapter for Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark’s return to The ANNIKA Pro-Am isn’t just a celebrity appearance. It’s a testament to her resilience, her love of competition, and her influence beyond basketball. She represents the bridge between sports and between fans that modern athletes are increasingly building.
As she steps onto the lush greens of Pelican Golf Club, the noise of her injuries, her missed games, and her critics will fade into the background. What will remain is the sound of pure competition the same heartbeat that’s driven her since childhood.
The crowd will gather once again, hundreds deep, waiting for her first tee shot. And as the ball soars into the Florida sky, Caitlin Clark’s comeback will be complete not through perfection, but through passion.
