WNBA Star Caitlin Clark’s Goal for LPGA Pro-Am Debut: “Just Don’t Hit Anyone!”
BELLEAIR, Fla. – Brittany Lincicome, a two-time major LPGA champion and mother of two, added a personal touch to her press conference on Tuesday by bringing along a basketball. While she was primarily there to discuss her decision to step back from full-time competition, she stayed afterward to have WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark sign the ball for her daughters.
“I’ll be honest, I’d never really watched women’s basketball,” Lincicome admitted. Playing on a sponsor exemption at The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, she recalled, “Then I saw Caitlin at the Final Four. We were in Vegas that week, and I watched every minute. It was the coolest thing I’d ever seen.”
LPGA rookie Gabriela Ruffels is looking forward to Wednesday’s pro-am at Pelican Golf Club, where Clark will tee off with World No. 1 Nelly Korda on the front nine and tournament host Annika Sorenstam on the back. The event’s ticket sales have surged, reaching twelve times the usual number.
Clark, a Gainbridge ambassador like Sorenstam, took part in the Women’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday before meeting with the media. Moderator Lauren Thompson asked Clark about the legacy and message she hopes to project—a profound question for the 22-year-old, who is the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I women’s basketball and a major force in the sport’s evolution.
“Since my college days and now as a pro, I’ve just been myself,” Clark said. “I think people connect with that. Who I am on the court is who I am off the court.”
Brittany Lincicome brought a basketball to her own press conference hoping to get it signed by Caitlin Clark for her daughters. She later took a photo with the WNBA star. pic.twitter.com/4UgSP7UkAT
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) November 12, 2024
True to her authentic style, Clark provided a candid response when Thompson wrapped up with rapid-fire questions to the panel, which included Sorenstam and former supermodel and businesswoman Kathy Ireland.
When asked about her greatest fear, Ireland spoke about fear of paralysis, while Sorenstam mentioned the thought of waking up without a purpose. Clark, however, humorously replied, “Cats. I really don’t like cats.” Her answer drew laughter as she shared a story about an aggressive black cat from her childhood neighborhood that instilled a lifelong aversion.
Her genuine personality continued to shine through, including when asked about her favorite snack. After Sorenstam cited “any fruit,” Clark responded with a down-to-earth “Doritos, nacho cheese flavor.”
Regarding her golf game for Wednesday’s pro-am, which begins at 7 a.m., Clark’s main objective is to avoid hitting anyone in the crowd. She recalls her first set of pink clubs from childhood, and while she’s dabbled in various sports, golf remains a fun, occasional pursuit. With a handicap of around 16, Clark typically hopes to break 100, though she sometimes scores in the mid-80s.
Pebble Beach Golf Links is a future goal, and she plans to get more rounds in during Thanksgiving with her family in Arizona. This pro-am holds special significance for Clark, as she started practicing with some of her Fever teammates once her WNBA season ended and even took lessons from former LPGA player Martha Foyer-Faulconer.
Reflecting on the event, Clark admitted to a touch of nervousness, though she remains grounded. “I remind myself, I don’t play golf for a living. This is just for fun. There are so many people who would love to be in my shoes.”
