Caitlin Clark not playing in LPGA pro-am for first time in WNBA career

WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark will not hit the links next month during the LPGA’s penultimate event of 2026. 

Clark made an appearance at The Annika at Pelican Golf Club for the pro-am in 2024 and 2025, turning the event into a must-watch event. However, organizers for the event said that she would not partake in this year’s tournament. 

“She is not going to be playing this year,” Mike Nichols, chief of sponsorship strategy and activation for Group 1001, told Golfweek on Thursday. “We have enjoyed the energy she has brought to the tournament the last two years and look forward to having her back in the future.”

Professional basketball player Caitlin Clark hits from the 14th tee prior to The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2025 at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, on Nov. 12, 2025. Getty Images
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark putts on the 18th green during the Pro-Am for The Annika driven by Gainbridge at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Annika will take place from Nov. 12-15 at the Belleair, Florida, golf course this year. 

Clark’s presence drew plenty of attention to the tournament over the past two years, which even led The Golf Channel to produce a three-hour program around the event. 

From left, Indiana Fever players Sophie Cunningham, Caitlin Clark and Lexi Hull pose for a group photo on the first tee during the Pro Am for The Annika driven by Cambridge at Pelican at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, Nov. 12, 2025. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Last year, Fever teammates Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull joined Clark on the course as celebrity caddies, adding even more public interest. 

Clark also teamed up with golf star Nelly Korda during the event last year, and the two have developed a bond. 

“I think it just shows how powerful supporting one another can truly be,” Clark had said at last year’s event. “I’ve always been a big advocate of that and supporting women’s sports. Always been a big fan, whether it’s golf or soccer or volleyball, whatever it is. So it’s really fun to see her do her craft up close and how good she is and getting to play with her last year; and I played a few other rounds with her.

“She just makes the game of golf look really easy. You’re almost like, how?”

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