Over the past two years, Caitlin Clark has become an unexpected attraction at one of the LPGA Tour’s biggest events. Her appearances at the ANNIKA Pro-Am have brought plenty of attention to women’s golf, turning the Indiana Fever star’s trips to the course into a talking point beyond basketball. However, as the tournament prepares for its 2026 edition, the 24-year-old will be sitting this one out.
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According to an Instagram post by Scott Agness, Clark will not return for this year’s ANNIKA Pro-Am because of a scheduling conflict. The event is scheduled for November 11 at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, a day before the ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge tournament begins.
Caitlin Clark first participated in the Pro-Am in 2024 following her rookie season in the WNBA. Her appearance came through her partnership with Gainbridge, an Indianapolis-based company, and proved to be a major attraction. The tournament reportedly experienced a more than 1,200% increase in attendance as a direct result of her involvement.
So the Fever guard returned the following year, teaming up with 2024 tournament winner Nelly Korda and sponsor invite Lauryn Nguyen. But what made her 2025 appearance even more special was the company she brought along. Fever teammates Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull joined Clark at the Pro-Am, serving as her celebrity caddies.
Still, while Caitlin Clark won’t be back this November, the tournament management has made it clear that the door remains open for a future appearance.
“She is not going to be playing this year,” Mike Nichols, chief of sponsorship strategy and activation for Group 1001, told Golfweek on October 1. He also added, “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.”
However, it is worth noting that the 2026 edition is still shaping up to be a major event for women’s golf. Seven of the world’s top-ranked golfers are expected to headline a 108-player field. They will be competing for a $3.25 million purse at the event named after LPGA legend Annika Sörenstam.
The tournament has also announced several sponsor exemptions, including Zionsville native Annabelle Pancake-Webb, University of Miami sophomore Scarlett Schremmer, and Wake Forest senior Macy Pate, who is set to become an LPGA Tour rookie in 2027.
Caitlin Clark’s absence will certainly remove one of the event’s biggest celebrity draws, but her previous appearances have already left a significant mark on the tournament. So for now, fans will have to wait for another opportunity to see the Fever star trade the basketball court for the golf course.