‘Back to 100 percent,’ Caitlin Clark enjoys round at The Annika Pro Am

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark participated in The Annika Pro-Am golf event in Belleair, Florida.
Clark stated she is feeling 100% recovered after an injury-shortened WNBA season.
She played alongside fellow WNBA players Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull, who served as her caddies.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Fever hit the links today at The Annika Pro-Am at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.

It’s the second consecutive year the two-time WNBA All-Star has played in the event, and she gave a short interview while walking on the 10th hole about what her golf journey has been like and how she is progressing after an injury-plagued second season in the league.

Clark only played in 13 games due to various injuries, and none after July 15, as her Fever teammates picked up the slack and led the team to the postseason. She will have plenty of time to get to 100% as she is not playing in the Unrivaled league as she gears up for her third WNBA season, which will start next May.

Here is what Clark said during an interview with Golf Channel:

On playing with Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull as her caddies

Honestly, I am proud of them. It’s nerve-wracking, getting up in front of a bunch of people and have to hit a golf ball. Obviously, we are basketball players, so we are not very good at this, but they make this event fun, so it’s fun to have them out here.

On her round at The Annika Pro-Am so far

I was warming up the first nine holes, but it’s always cool to be out here and they put on a great event and Gainbridge does a great job. And it’s fun to play with Nelly (Korda) and now playing with Lauren (Nguyen). Anytime you get to be out in the sun in Florida, in front of really cool fans. It makes for a great day.

On her golf journey

I actually grew up playing a little bit. I remember for one of my birthdays, I got this cute little set of pink golf clubs, they obviously they weren’t very nice or anything. Then I kind of stopped playing, and then during COVID I picked it back up. In college, I had quite a few guy managers that played and some of my teammates. So we would make it competitive. None of us were really that good, but it was really fun for us to play with each other in the summers or whenever we had some free time.

On her injury status and if she has played more golf

Unfortunately, that means I have played less, just because I haven’t been able to get out there with some of the injuries that I was dealing with. But now, I am feeling back to 100 percent, so I have been trying to take advantage of the fall weather in Indianapolis before it gets too cold. Obviously, being down here in Florida, the weather makes it pretty easy to play some golf. But getting in as much as I can, obviously I stay pretty busy so I don’t get to play as much as I would like, but when I do it’s always fun.

On what it means for two of women’s biggest sports stars to join together

I think it shows how powerful supporting one another can truly be. I have always been a big advocate. I have always been a big fan whether it’s golf or soccer or volleyball or whatever it is. So it’s really fun to see (Nelly Korda) do her craft up close and how good she is. And getting to play with her last year, and I have played a few other rounds with her, so she just makes the game of golf look really easy. You’re almost like ‘How?’ But she’s great and I am rooting for her to win this week.

On her golf swing

Well I am slicing it off the tee, but that (on No. 10) was probably my best drive of the day. So I am happy with it. I just need to slow down. I swing so fast and so hard, that’s my problem. I always want to kill the ball. Honestly, I have hit some good iron shots and some good putts. I need a long putt to go in so the crowd can go crazy. I think they are waiting for that.