Cailtin Clark shanks drive into nearby gallery of fans at LPGA Pro-Am at The Annika

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark said Tuesday that her No. 1 priority while competing in the LPGA Pro-Am at The Annika was not to hit any spectator with a golf ball.

Well, Clark’s worst fear nearly came to fruition when she stepped up to the first tee box Wednesday morning at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. Clark shanked one left off the tee and into a gallery of spectators. Luckily, it appears Clark’s misfire narrowly evaded everybody.

Just a reminder that ⁦@CaitlinClark22⁩ is mortal. She is an absolute delight to follow- talking with fans, making jokes and having a good time.

So happy she is out here playing the Pelican Club. pic.twitter.com/CPZxZ3WrXs

— Society of Golf Historians (@SHistorians) November 13, 2024

“Sorry,” said Clark, which drew a laugh from the crowd.

Clark was forced to use a breakfast ball early, lining another one up. This time, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year blitzed one down the left side of the fairway. From there, she was off and running, playing the front nine in a foursome with Nelly Korda.

Korda, the No. 1 ranked LPGA golfer in the world, won six events in 2024 including the Chevron Championship at Carlton Woods, her second victory in a major.

While Clark will find it difficult to be on par with Korda, she did give the crowd something to cheer about at the fifth. Clark rolled in a long putt worthy of a fist bump which got a loud reaction.

Long putt and a fist pump! 💪

Caitlin Clark looking right at home on the course. pic.twitter.com/PKl0pH0hkG

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) November 13, 2024

Caitlin Clark looking to enjoy competing in LPGA Pro-Am at The Annika

Clark, who described herself as an “average golfer” with about a 16 handicap, talked about her expectations coming into the event.

“I was pretty nervous,” Clark said, via Mark Schlabach of ESPN. “I’ll probably be nervous tomorrow, too. I don’t know. I mean, 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. This isn’t super serious. Enjoy the experience. 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.”