Caitlin Clark once joked she’d go pro in golf—and now she’s actually set to tee it up with the LPGA elite at The ANNIKA. The WNBA Rookie of the Year is taking her love for golf to a new level by joining the event named after the golf legend Annika Sorenstam. But, before hitting the greens, Caitlin spilled the beans on why one of her teammates is too “scared” to take her on in golf. 

In a press conference ahead of the event, CC shared that while she hasn’t had the chance to golf with any WNBA players yet, one of her teammates is a state-champion golfer. She playfully added, “I think she might be scared or something; I don’t know why. Her game must have gotten rusty when she became a basketball player.” 

Any guesses on who the teammate is? It’s none other than Grace Berger, her Indiana Fever fellow. Grace was once a star golfer herself, claiming a state title at Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville, Kentucky, before trading her golf clubs for a basketball and becoming a college star with the Indiana Hoosiers. 

She went on to be a four-time first-team All-Big Ten selection before landing as the No. 7 pick in the 2023 WNBA draft. Now, she’s with the Fever, but Clark’s little jab doesn’t mean anything. Berger might have some golf skills left in the tank, too. 

And honestly, CC’s reputation for playful jabs and trash talk has added a lot of fun to her rookie season. In fact, her bold banter has already earned her a bit of a rep in the WNBA. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas Aces head coach, even commented on Caitlin’s trash-talking skills. Talking about Angel Reese and Fever star, she said, “Look, at the end of the day, they’re super-skilled and fun to watch. And they jaw at each other, you know? No one talks more crap than Caitlin too.”

The Hawkeyes former has her own Michael Jordan shrug moves and a knack for the friendly rivalries that keep fans entertained. But for the time being, Caitlin’s putting basketball on pause to take a swing at golf. But do you know this isn’t her first pro-am?

Caitlin Clark spills on nerves from her first Pro-Am experience

Looks like the basketball prodigy is a bit of a seasoned amateur when it comes to golf. Her first time was at the PGA Tour’s 2023 John Deere Classic, where she paired up with pros Ludvig Åberg and Iowan golf legend Zach Johnson. 

Reflecting on that debut, the 22-year-old said, “I was pretty nervous. I’ll probably be nervous tomorrow, too. I remind myself, like, I don’t really care what happens. Doesn’t really matter. I don’t play golf for a living. Just have fun with it.”

Growing up, her dad was her main golf partner, teaching her the ropes while adding some competitive spirit to their games. PGA superstar Rory McIlroy is her favorite player, but she’s keeping her golfing career lighthearted.

“I love being outside and making it competitive with my friends.” At this week’s event, she’ll join LPGA Hall of Famer Sorenstam and world No. 1 Nelly Korda. Annika even offered her a few tips on staying calm and just enjoying the experience.

She advised her to ‘just have fun with it’ rather than thinking it’s something serious. “There were so many people that would kill to be in my position or in my shoes. The people following outside the ropes would love an opportunity to hit a ball on the first tee or something like that,” the golfer said. 

With a 16 handicap and a personal best in the mid-80s, the hooper may be more known for hoops than for holes-in-one, but she’s clearly bringing the same fierce energy to the greens. And we’re all in to watch her golf journey after an incredible W debut.