Staff WriterCaitlin Clark brought her signature flair to the fairways this week, joining Nelly Korda and Annika Sorenstam at the LPGA Tour’s The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.
The Gainbridge® ambassador and WNBA standout made her second appearance at the event, swapping the hardwood for the greens in what’s becoming one of golf’s most anticipated cross-sport showcases.
Clark, who continues to captivate audiences on and off the court, teed it up in an 18-hole pro-am alongside Rolex World No. 2 Nelly Korda on the front nine and NCAA All-American Lauryn Nguyen on the back.
Their group also featured Dan Towriss, President and CEO of Group 1001, and his guest Jordan Jackson, while Briana Scurry, Carson Hocevar, and Clark’s Indiana Fever teammates Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham served as honorary caddies—because why not make it a full-team affair?
Granting Goodness: A Surprise for Caitlin Clark
After the round, Clark joined Sorenstam and Nguyen for a media session that doubled as a heartwarming moment. Towriss surprised Clark with a $22,000 grant for the Caitlin Clark Foundation, and Nguyen received $5,000 for her Duc Foundation, courtesy of Group 1001’s Gainbridge Assists initiative.
The gesture underscored the day’s theme: women supporting women—not just in sport, but in community impact.
“I think it just shows how powerful supporting one another can truly be,” Clark said. “I’ve always been a big advocate of that and supporting women’s sports. Always been a big fan, whether it’s golf or soccer or volleyball, whatever it is.
So it’s really fun to see [Nelly] do her craft up close and how good she is… She just makes the game of golf look really easy. You’re almost like, how? But she’s great and I’m rooting for her to win this big.”
Nelly’s Shoes and a Shared Spirit
Caitlin Clark couldn’t resist sharing a light-hearted moment about Korda’s footwear—proof that the WNBA star’s eye for detail extends beyond the court.
“Yeah, well, I remember last year I was here talking to Nelly about her shoes,” she said. “In basketball you wear the team uniform, like it’s your shoes that are the cool thing… She put in a lot of time to create her own PE and very unique to her… Yeah, her shoes are pretty cool. I’ll make sure they get home safe. I’m going to be rocking them.”
Annika Sorenstam: “This Is What Women’s Sports Is About”
For tournament host Annika Sorenstam, having Caitlin Clark back was more than a star appearance—it was a statement about how women’s sports continue to rise together.
“I think it’s amazing,” said Sorenstam. “It’s great to have Caitlin here and Lauryn. What Gainbridge is doing—bringing different athletes together from different sports—is generating a lot of buzz. We’ve always said this: golf brings people together, brings friendship and partnerships. I think today is a good example of that.”
Sorenstam also praised Clark’s presence and influence:
“Thank you for being here. It’s cool… That’s what sports is about, bringing people together. We might be doing different things outside of ropes, but we come in here and we’re athletes and competitors, but still want each other well. Women’s sports are really in good hands.”
A Day of Champions, Connection, and Community
From basketball’s brightest to golf’s greatest, Caitlin Clark’s return to The ANNIKA proved once again that talent translates—and that shared respect between athletes is as inspiring as any trophy lift.
The event’s photo and video highlights—featuring Clark, Korda, and Sorenstam—are available via the LPGA’s official channels, including Getty, Golf Channel, and Outlyr.
Clark left the course with new memories, a new pair of shoes, and a renewed reminder of how far women’s sports have come—thanks to days like this one.
