Caitlin Clark could be the largest star in all of sports activities for the time being.
For the second consecutive week, the Indiana Fever celebrity participated in a Professional-Am on the Wednesday earlier than the primary spherical of a professional golf event. This time, she teed it up forward of the RSM Traditional, the ultimate occasion of the PGA Tour season in Sea Island, Georgia.
Final week, in Bellair, Florida, Clark performed alongside Nelly Korda and Annika Sorenstam, which introduced out hundreds of excited followers and created fairly the excitement. This time, Clark’s presence was extra subdued, and that was by design. No one knew Clark could be in Georgia till Tuesday. She performed alongside PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and 2023 Ryder Cup Captain Zach Johnson.
Others collaborating within the Professional-Am included 7-time Tremendous Bowl Champion Tom Brady, former NFL MVP Matt Ryan, and music star Darius Rucker. And but, Clark nonetheless garnered essentially the most curiosity. No surprise why she performed with Monahan and Johnson, which marks the second straight week she was part of a high-profile pairing.
“Fairly unbelievable what she’s executed in her sport and what she’s executed for sport and what she’s doing for golf,” Davis Love III, the event host, mentioned of Clark.
“I haven’t performed together with her or seen her play, so hopefully, she continues to develop in her recreation.”
In contrast to final week at The ANNIKA, Clark didn’t come near hitting any spectators on Wednesday on the RSM Traditional. She as an alternative stripped a number of drives down the golf green, impressing everybody on the property.
Clark undoubtedly introduced loads of consideration to Sea Island this week, however this yr’s RSM Traditional is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary and options many intriguing storylines. A lot is on the road for dozens of PGA Tour execs, as solely the highest 125 within the FedEx Cup standings after this week earn PGA Tour playing cards for the next season. Sitting proper on the periphery is fan-favorite Joel Dahmen, who arrives in Georgia ranked 124th within the FedEx Cup standings. Dahmen should play effectively and, on the very least, make the reduce to maintain his taking part in privileges subsequent yr.
One other narrative to observe this week is how defending champion Ludvig Åberg will play. The younger Swede received his first PGA Tour title in Sea Island one yr in the past however has not received a event since. He has posted three runner-up finishes, together with a solo second at Augusta Nationwide. However he underwent surgical procedure in September to restore a torn meniscus, and this week will mark Åberg’s first begin for the reason that operation.
But, Clark could be the largest story of all of them, which speaks volumes in regards to the impression she continues to make.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. Make sure you take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.
