Golf course excited by the emergence of the U.S. women’s basketball rookie of the year

WNBA Clark LPGA Tour Pro-Am Play
Coda in the first half, accompanying round with Sorenstam in the second half.
A box office hit maker with many fans flocking to sign autographs and take commemorative photos.

A basketball player appeared at the LPGA Tour tournament.

The main character is Caitlin Clark, the 2024 season rookie of the year in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She appeared at the LPGA Tour Annika Driven Pro-Am event held in Bel Air, Florida, USA on the 13th (local time). Clark, who said, “I want to become a professional golfer” after finishing the WNBA season in September of this year, played the first nine holes of the pro-am event with world No. 1 Nellie Korda (USA), and the second half of the nine holes were played by the tournament host. Played with Annika Sorenstam (Sweden).

On this day, Clark sent his tee shot toward the left gallery, creating a scene that almost resulted in an injury. He also recorded his only birdie on the 12th hole. He explained his golf skills, saying, “If I’m lucky, I can score in the mid-80s, but usually I try not to exceed 100.”

Before turning professional, Clark played at the University of Iowa and is a player who created a ‘women’s basketball craze’ throughout the United States. This April, the National Collegiate Sports Association (NCAA) women’s basketball finals were watched by 18.7 million people in the United States, recording more viewers than last year’s Major League Baseball World Series and National Basketball Association (NBA) championship game.

Clark is the first person to win the James Sullivan Award given by the American Amateur Sports Association twice, and is sponsored by global companies such as Nike, Gatorade, Buick, State Farm, and Goldman Sachs. ESPN, an American sports media outlet, reported the local atmosphere, saying, “It was a pro-am event before the start of the tournament, but more fans than usual LPGA tour tournaments showed up,” and “After the game, Clark signed autographs for hundreds of fans.”

LPGA tour player Brittany Lincicome (USA) welcomed Clark’s attendance at the pro-am event, saying, “It is helpful to the growth of women’s golf.” Koda, who also participated in the round, said, “I think many fans came to the tournament because he is a very popular player. Clark’s influence is great.”