Caitlin Clark Fever Hits LPGA Pro-Am: WNBA Star’s Takeover Eclipses Even Legendary Nelly Korda

The “Caitlin Clark effect” has been a hot topic since the reigning ROTY stepped onto the WNBA scene, drawing fans in droves to arenas and boosting TV viewership to new highs. Even in the offseason, Clark’s influence showed up in surprising ways—like when her visit to an Indianapolis football game spiked the team’s social media engagement.

Now, with her second Pro-Am tournament coming up, this time alongside golf legend Nelly Korda at The Annika, Clark’s appeal is on full display yet again, possibly even rivaling the excitement for her famous golf partner. Just a day before the Indiana Fever guard steps out in Pelican Golf Club for The Annika in Florida, a report from Indiana Fever beat reporter, Scott Agness underscores the boom in the event’s ticket sales.

“Ticket sales are up by 1200%,” announced the kicker of Fieldhouse Files’ latest report from Agness. Clark’s fans have every reason to feel proud of this incredible surge in interest.

On the other hand, Nelly Korda, the world No. 1 golfer and Clark’s partner for the front nine, has herself been a force in women’s golf, bringing in a new audience. Her fifth consecutive title of 2024 at the Chevron Championship, saw 1.9 million people tuning in. It was the most watched Chevron since 2010. But seems like Clark’s impact brought in a little more visibility this time. Or it was the effect of the combination.

Which golf legend is Caitlin Clark partnering with at The Annika Pro-Am tournament?

Nelly Korda
Lexi Thompson
Brooke Henderson
Lydia Ko

Regardless, Wednesday noon will reveal if she can hold her own next to golf legend Korda—if she even matches her game a little, it’s sure to be a thrill for everyone watching. But Clark’s Pro-Am appearance isn’t her only commitment this week—she’s also accepted another exciting invitation alongside this golf outing, adding even more anticipation to her schedule.

Caitlin Clark takes her love for golf and women’s empowerment to The Annika Pro-Am

Caitlin Clark is no stranger to the Pro-Am scene—she made a splash at the 2023 John Deere Classic. But this time, her appearance carries extra weight. Before teeing off on Wednesday, Clark will attend the Women’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday, bringing her support to an event that champions empowerment and growth. So, why did she decide to accept the invite? For Clark, it’s a combination of her love for the game and the honor of being part of something meaningful.

“Well, first of all, I love golf and being around it. I think it’s so cool and special and I grew up playing golf. Obviously Annika, a legend in this game. Like for me this is just fun. It’s cool,” Clark told media in a press conference at Pelican Golf Club, Tuesday. She also expressed that encouraging women sports isn’t just a job to her, instead, “This is an honor.” 

via Imago

“I just feel very fortunate. When they asked me to come down here, I was like, yeah, I can get away from the Indianapolis cold. I get to play golf with some of the best. This is amazing. Sign me up,” continued Clark. For Clark, joining Annika Sorenstam at the Women’s Leadership Summit was an easy decision as the sports has been a part of her life since she was six years old, making it the perfect blend of passion and opportunity.

With ticket sales already soaring thanks to her star power, all eyes are now on Caitlin Clark to see how she’ll impress fans at The Annika. As the WNBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year steps onto the golf course, it’s bound to be a thrill for those eager to watch her take on a challenge in golf.

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