They say adversity builds character, and Caitlin Clark’s rookie year proved it. What began as a small niggle escalated into three soft tissue injuries and a bone bruise. Regularly targeted on the court, she suffered 17% of all WNBA flagrant fouls and averaged 4.5 fouls per game, fifth in the league. Fans and even UConn coach Geno Auriemma felt her brilliance drew unwanted, harsh attention.

“Is she facing the rookie challenge, the rookie hardships that are inherent with being a rookie? Yes,” Auriemma told reporters last year, “she’s also being targeted.” The struggles didn’t stop in her sophomore season, highlighted by the Marina Mabrey and Jacy Sheldon incident during the Connecticut vs. Indiana Fever matchup (which did feel intentional poking to force a CC reaction).

While some insist Clark is simply receiving standard rookie treatment, the golf world has begun to recognize the challenges she has faced. After playing only 13 games, Clark is back to sports, but it’s golf as she returned to the Annika Pro Am. “Given the way those first two years have gone in the WNBA, Caitlin may be glad to be playing a non-contact sport here,” the commentator on NBC said as Clark was competing.

As to why Caitlin Clark was being targeted? Many theorize that the rest of the league was jealous of the attention Clark was getting.  

The conversation intensified after Caitlin Clark was voted the ninth-best guard in the league by her peers at the 2025 All-Star Game, while the media ranked her third, and fans placed her at number one. Despite battling injuries, she remained formidable, having broken the season assists record as a rookie and leading the Fever to their first playoff appearance in eight years. While these indicators exist, much of it reflects fan perception rather than certainty.

Assuming there is a degree of jealousy because of her acquired fame, it should have carried over to her golf journey, too. In a way, it should be worse here. She is the main attraction of the event despite being an amateur, taking the spotlight away from the professionals. However, according to former LPGA golfer Paige Mackenzie, that’s not the case. 

“Let’s reframe this a little bit. A sports star in professional basketball that wants to play in a PGA Tour pro-am, do you think the PGA Tour guys are upset that they’re taking the spotlight from them? No. I think they’re excited that the best athlete in the world is engaged in the game of golf. You’ve got the most prominent women’s sports star who is interested in our game. That’s a good thing,” Paige said on the Golf Channel. 

Caitlin Clark has increased the attendance of the Annika Pro-Am by more than 1,200% last year, according to Scott Agness of Field House Files. She has brought in more eyes as the Golf Channel expanded her coverage. Clark’s mere presence there is giving the professional golfers more exposure.

A fan who is there for Caitlin Clark today might get curious and start to follow the LPGA. It’s an everybody-wins deal, much like the WNBA. Many who started watching because of Clark have also followed other athletes and teams, leading to their growth. That effect has slowed in 2025, with Clark largely sidelined. However, in good news to the WNBA world, Caitlin Clark has announced she is back to 100%. 

Caitlin Clark Announces Return To Full Fitness

The last update regarding Clark’s recovery came from coach Stephanie White. “We’re not jumping into anything that’s too much right now.” She said in late October. “We have the ability right now to take it on a week-by-week basis and do some 3-on-3, doing some 2-on-2, building into 5-on-5.” White had emphasized taking their time in getting Clark back to her, the movements before her injury.

Now it seems the recovery process has reached a place where Clark can call herself fully fit.  While talking about her golfing habits in the summer, the interviewer asked if she had more time to sharpen her skills because of her injury layoffs. “Unfortunately, it means I’ve played less. Just because I wasn’t able to get out there with some of the injuries I’d been dealing with,” Clark said.

“Now I’m feeling back to 100%, so been trying to take advantage of the fall weather in Indianapolis before it gets too cold… Getting in as much as I can. Obviously, I stay pretty busy, so I don’t get to play as much as I would like. But when I do, it’s always really fun.”

It must feel like a rock lifted over the Indiana Fever fans after hearing that. However, don’t celebrate too early. Clark will still need to ensure the injury doesn’t come back, as groin injuries tend to linger for a while. Lisa Leslie mentioned that she still feels the effects of her groin injury even after retirement. Clark will need to manage and strengthen herself to return to the same level she was at.