​Stateline, NV – The WNBA season runs May through September, so Caitlin Clark’s participation in the American Century Championship is unlikely while she remains active. Yet Clark is collaborating with golfing legend Annika Sörenstam, one of the top contenders in the 2026 ACC field, to refine her golf game. During a press conference on Thursday, Sörenstam told me that Clark’s involvement at her events positively influences her preparation for the annual celebrity tournament, which runs July 10–12 on NBC, NBC Sports Network, and Peacock. In particular, Clark’s presence lifts her mindset.
Sörenstam also defended her brand partner through their shared association with Gainbridge, the sponsor of Sörenstam’s annual LPGA event. She acknowledged that it’s been a challenging WNBA season for Clark, limiting her ability to focus on her own game. “It’s great to have her at the tournament, The Annika, driven by Gainbridge, in Tampa. As you know, she’s incredibly popular. She draws a lot of people to our tournament, to the pro-am, and she creates extra buzz,” Sörenstam explained about Clark. “It’s exciting to see a female athlete of her caliber at our event. It brings back memories of when I was younger—hungry, energetic, and highly motivated when you’re in your prime. You live for that moment.”
“And she’s a wonderful person. She loves the sport, as everyone knows. She’s a phenomenal athlete. It’s fun to have her here; you can see how fans react to her. It draws more interest to the sport.” Sörenstam added that she’s proud of Clark and supports what she’s trying to accomplish, noting that the season has been tough for her. “I think we all root for her in many ways. I wish they would give her a little more space and a chance to compete more effectively. But that’s sports, right?”
I also found it pertinent to ask WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert, one of the ACC’s 90 celebrity golfers, about the GOP’s letter aiming to ensure Clark’s safety on the court, which arrived after a June incident in which Clark was struck in the throat by the Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas, prompting a suspension. The letter’s release elicited political commentary beyond the game’s confines. August Pfluger, chair of RSC, stated, “Caitlin Clark is transforming women’s sports. She has inspired a new generation of young girls to participate in athletics and has become one of the most influential figures in the history of women’s basketball.”
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