Caitlin Clark is perhaps the most important 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 match. 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 1000’s of excited followers and created fairly the thrill. This time, Clark’s presence was extra subdued, and that was by design. No person knew Clark can be in Georgia till Tuesday. She performed alongside PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and 2023 Ryder Cup Captain Zach Johnson.
Others taking part within the Professional-Am included 7-time Tremendous Bowl Champion Tom Brady, former NFL MVP Matt Ryan, and music stars Toby Keith and Darius Rucker. And but, Clark nonetheless garnered essentially the most curiosity. No marvel why she performed with Monahan and Johnson, which marks the second straight week she was part of a high-profile pairing.
“Fairly unimaginable what she’s achieved in her sport and what she’s achieved for sport and what she’s doing for golf,” Davis Love III, the match host, stated 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 professionals, 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 minimize to maintain his enjoying privileges subsequent yr.
One other narrative to look at this week is how defending champion Ludvig Åberg will play. The younger Swede gained his first PGA Tour title in Sea Island one yr in the past however has not gained a match 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 is perhaps the most important story of all of them, which speaks volumes concerning the influence she continues to make.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. Be sure you take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You may observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.