ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Caitlin Clark has never been shy about taking the next shot, even if she’s already missed a few. The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year is known for getting hot and staying so on the basketball court, and something similar could be said for her appearance at Wednesday’s RSM Classic pro-am at Sea Island Golf Club.
Clark, who was paired with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and 2023 Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson, pulled her opening drive left into the water. It took her all of 10 seconds to re-tee and drop another shot near the green on a short par 4. And while she struggled a little to get rolling, once the Iowan got loose she was consistently long off the tee, to the point where Johnson and Monahan marveled at her talent.
On one three-hole stretch, she bombed huge drives that, from her forward tees, put her in front of most of the group she was playing with.
Johnson, who has a dozen PGA Tour victories under his belt, played with Clark at the 2023 John Deere Classic and has noticed an improvement in the former University of Iowa star’s golf game.
“She’s a competitor before she is anything else. I witnessed it a year-and-a-half ago when we played but I’ve also witnessed that she’s gotten better. She’s working on her game,” Johnson said. “It’s a hard game, and it’s not her number one priority, obviously, nor should it be. But she’s amazing. She’s amazing on the court and off.”
Multi-sport athlete
@CaitlinClark22 has made it to @TheRSMClassic. pic.twitter.com/N3260ACNOK
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 20, 2024
While Johnson came away again impressed with her golf swing, he was even more inspired by the way the 22-year-old conducts herself. As she has at previous stops, like last week’s LPGA event where she played with Nelly Korda and host Annika Sorenstam, Clark took time to sign autographs and snap pics with nearly every fan who asked, including Johnson’s daughter Abby Jane.
“She has raised the bar. She’s pushed the ceiling. She’s done so much for sports, specifically women’s basketball, that I think we’re just starting to see the tip of it right now. I think there’s more to come,” Johnson said. “Your talent is given but she’ll continue to improve because she works hard.
“You’re seeing a woman, an athlete, who does everything right off the court. And so she’s a role model, an icon, and that is a rare breed.”
Photos: Tom Brady, Caitlin Clark among star-studded pro-am at the RSM Classic 2024
PGA Tour commissioner says Clark is ‘awesome to watch’
Monahan had never met Clark until Wednesday, but he was dazzled by her golf swing, especially when she made contact with the driver. On the par-5 14th hole, Clark hit a tee shot 270 yards down the left side of the fairway, leaving a hybrid in from 170 yards. She then hit was Monahan described as “the perfect buttercut” that rolled onto the back of the green. Although she three-putted, she still had the gallery in awe.
“It is incredible. It was awesome to watch,” Monahan said. “What really struck me was her love of the game. Clearly, her competitive spirit and fire come through. And her ability comes through loud and clear on some of those tee shots. You know, she’s been playing seriously for a year and a half. I’ve never seen someone in a year and a half strike the ball like that. And she’s gonna be playing this game for a long time.
“She’s transcendent. And it’s very clear. Her humility is her superpower and, yeah, it’s pretty cool to see her interact with all these young boys and girls and she’s done a lot for this game, in a short period of time.”
As for Clark, she said after playing pro-ams on both the men’s and women’s tours that she enjoyed both experiences.
“They’re both unique, but they’re all fun. I kind of know Zach a little bit better, but it’s always fun to meet new people and get to see them up close,” she said. “It makes it personal. I mean you support these people on TV and you come and watch them up close and see how good they are at their game. It’s special.”
And as for her own game?
“I just like having fun. Obviously, there were too many people here today. I hit some nice shots today, though,” Clark said. “It’s nice, I get to tee it up a little further so it helps me out.”