Brittany Lincicome, a two-time major champion and mother of two, surprised reporters at her press conference by bringing a basketball. Although she was there to discuss her decision to step back from full-time competition, she stayed late so that WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark could sign the basketball for her daughters.
“I’m just being honest, I’ve never really watched women’s basketball,” said Lincicome, who’s playing on a sponsor exemption this week at The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican. “But when I saw Caitlin at the Final Four, I watched every minute and thought it was amazing.”
LPGA rookie Gabriela Ruffels is excited to play alongside Clark in the event’s pro-am alongside Nelly Korda and Annika Sorenstam. Ticket sales for the Belleair, Florida event are 12 times the usual number.
Caitlin Clark, a Gainbridge ambassador, participated in the Women’s Leadership Summit before meeting with the media. When asked about her message and brand, Clark emphasized being authentic and true to herself, which has resonated with others.
Clark’s candid personality shined during a rapid-fire Q&A session, revealing her fear of cats to the amusement of the audience. Despite her success in basketball, Clark remains down-to-earth, sharing relatable preferences like her favorite snack, Doritos.
On the golf course, Clark aims to enjoy the experience and not worry too much about her performance. While golf is not her primary profession, she looks forward to the pro-am and the opportunity to play with top professionals.
Clark’s passion for golf stems from childhood, and she continues to pursue the sport with enthusiasm. Despite occasional high scores, she values the joy of being outdoors and playing various sports.
As she prepares for her LPGA pro-am debut, Clark remains grounded and focused on having fun and appreciating the opportunity. Her genuine personality and diverse interests make her a relatable figure in sports.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark has one goal for her LPGA pro-am debut: Don’t hit anyone with a golf ball