Caitlin Clark previously joked that she would spend her offseason trying to become a professional golfer.
However, while actually out on the fairways this week, the WNBA superstar revealed that she had in fact been focussed on improving her game on the court.
The 22-year-old has been enjoying a lengthy stint away from the court after her debut season in the W came to an end with the Indiana Fever’s playoff exit in September.
Clark has been reluctant to join ‘Unrivaled’, the 3-on-3 league founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, during the offseason, despite rumors of a seven-figure offer being on the table.
Instead, the guard has hit the golf course, teeing it up in the Pro-Am alongside World No. 1 Nelly Korda and golf legend Annika Sorenstam ahead of this week’s The ANNIKA on the LPGA.
Caitlin Clark revealed how she has been spending her offseason away from the WNBA
Clark swapped the court for the fairways at The LPGA’s ANNIKAPro-Am event Wednesday
But Clark admitted that her focus never strays too far from basketball, revealing how she’s pledged to use her offseason to improve.
‘Besides the actual basketball skill part of it, I think getting stronger, that’s what I’m focusing on. I’m in the weight room a lot just building that strength,’ Clark told the Golf Channel during her round Wednesday.
‘Obviously it was hard going straight from the college season to the professional season and getting to spend a lot of time in the weight rooms. So, that’s what I’ve been focussing on.
‘And obviously a lot of things on the court. I’m always wanting to get better and that’s what drives me. I love it and I feel very fortunate that it’s my job.’
While Clark insisted there was room for improvement in her basketball game, she may believe that her swing could use a few tweaks too following Wednesday’s round.
Clark is naturally used to the pressure – and the attention – that has swarmed her over the past couple of years in the spotlight.
However, her nerves appeared to get the better of her as she swapped the court for the course Wednesday.
Clark proved that she is human after a sensational rookie professional season with a topsy-turvy round in front of the hundreds – many sporting her No. 22 jersey – of fans who descended on the Tampa area.
The 22-year-old teed it up alongside 10-time major winner Annika Sorenstam (left)
The Indiana Fever guard appeared to enjoy her time on the course despite a topsy-turvy round
The WNBA star came alarmingly close to firing her ball at a fan’s head with her tee shot at the third hole of the Pelican Golf Club in Florida.
Lining up her shot with a driver, Clark accidentally shanked it straight into the fans watching on to the left, narrowly avoiding disaster and sparking a shocked reaction from the hundreds watching on.
The ball was just inches from hitting fans at very fast speed, in what surely would have resulted in serious injury.
Immediately, the basketball icon apologized, while the crowd laughed at her mistake, before lining up another ball to try again.
At her second attempt, Clark kept the ball straight and avoided further disaster.
Despite only narrowly avoiding injury, it appears the fans did not mind and quickly chased after the lost ball in a bid to find a souvenir to take home.
