Not Augusta National but Caitlin Clark Names Another Venue as Her Dream Golf Course

“I’m looking forward to seeing all the LPGA players on the driving range…” Caitlin Clark was clearly excited weighing in about her off-season plans, and golf was just high on her list of activities. Now, as she is all set to feature in her second Pro-Am of the golf career at The Annika, the reigning ROTY has revealed her favorite golf course—a choice that might surprise some.

The much anticipated Clark’s appearance at The Annika will come Wednesday but before that, she sat alongside golf great Annika Sorenstam to answer a few questions from the media. “This is your second Pro-am, one of the PGA and now the LPGA. Are there any courses you haven’t played at yet that you’d like to play sometime in the future?” one asked. 

Clark replied cheerfully, “Oh gosh there’s a lot. I would love to play Pebble [Beach].” It was a bit of a surprise that Augusta National Gold Club, one of the state’s most popular courses every golfer dreams to play once on, did not make the top of her list.  

However, she later added:

“Honestly anywhere. I’m, you know, open to any of them. Wherever I can get on, I’m playing a few in, I’m going to Arizona for thanksgiving. I’m playing a few there. So that’ll be fun with my family. Haven’t been on vacation since the season ended so that would be a nice little break for me. So honestly, whenever I have time, I love to play golf. It’s just when the time, you know, opens up and I can travel and go play places. I love being outside and playing new places so honestly wherever.”

While she can play golf just about anywhere, this Wednesday, she’ll be teeing off at The Annika Pro-Am at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. Just last July, she joined the action at the 2023 John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, making her mark on the golf course as well as the court.

In this 2024 LPGA event, fueled by the Gainbridge tournament, the Indiana Fever guard will join forces with two golf icons. As part of the Pro-Am format, she starts the front nine with World No. 1 Nelly Korda, and wrapping up the back nine alongside the event’s host, Annika Sorenstam herself. But Clark isn’t just sharing her favorite course—she’s also revealed her top pick for a favorite golfer, another unpopular choice that might come as it’s not one of the usual fan favorites.

Caitlin Clark’s golf inspiration: A surprising favorite

Growing up, Caitlin Clark was always a big fan of golf, though she never really shared which players she admired. Now, as she makes waves in the WNBA, her rise has even drawn comparisons to Tiger Woods’ iconic career. So when asked today who her favorite golfer was, the 11-time PGA POTY’s name was an obvious assumption. Instead, the Fever #22 surprised everyone with her own pick.

“Honestly, I tried to watch as much as I can and Rory (Mcllroy) was probably one of my favorite players growing up. I wish I always had the TV on watching him. But I had this pink little cute golf club growing up that I got for one of my birthdays. So I always begged my dad to take me out, go golfing but… Yeah, I loved it. I tried to be around it as much as I could… as much as I had time for it,” confessed the 22-year-old Pro AM participant.

Rory McIlroy, a three-time PGA Tour Player of the Year, dominated the golfing world in the early 2010s. During this peak, he captured the PGA Championship twice—first in 2012, then again in 2014—and was named PGA Player of the Year both years. Undoubtedly, the Northern Irish golfer would have been a constant presence on TV screens while Caitlin Clark was growing up, likely influencing young fans everywhere.

As Clark steps into The Annika Pro-Am on Wednesday, her love for golf shines just as brightly as her passion for basketball. Tomorrow will reveal if she can live up to her lighthearted off-season joke about going pro in golf. For now, though, she’s keeping her focus simple, with one main goal in mind: “not to hit anyone with a golf ball.”

 Click here to get all the details on when and where to watch her at The Annika!