World No 1 Nelly Korda gives her verdict on Caitlin Clark’s golf game after LPGA’s The Annika Pro-Am

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Nelly Korda is used to attracting fans to the fairways but on Wednesday, the World No. 1 found herself sharing the stage.

 

Ahead of targeting an incredible seventh win of the year at The ANNIKA in Florida this week, Korda teed it up in the Pro-Am alongside WNBA star Caitlin Clark.

The 26-year-old teamed up with Clark and her playing partners, Dan Towriss and Jason Rickard, for nine holes at the Pelican Golf Club before golf legend Annika Sorenstam took over at the turn.

But nine holes were enough for the 14-time LPGA winner to assess the Indiana Fever guard’s game as she swapped the court for the course.

Clark endured a somewhat topsy-turvy round filled with highs and lows, but despite almost taking a fan’s head off, she managed to leave Korda impressed.

Nelly Korda (right) delivered her verdict on Caitlin Clark’s (left) golf game Wednesday

The World No. 1 played nine holes with the WNBA superstar during an LPGA Pro-Am

The World No. 1 played nine holes with the WNBA superstar during an LPGA Pro-Am

It was a great to see how relaxed she was,’ said Korda, referring to the hundreds of fans who descended on Belleair, Florida to catch a glimpse of Clark in action.

‘Obviously with the media attention she has gotten probably in the past year and a half, two years, you can see how she’s comfortable playing in front of a larger crowd. And she was just really enjoying it. You can tell.

‘She’s definitely very talented. She was picking the ball really clean. She was losing a couple shots to the right, but I asked her how many times a week she plays and I think with the amount of obligations she has she probably gets to the golf course once a week. So just play once a week she was playing really well.’

Korda admitted that Clark didn’t turn to her for any advice, claiming it was difficult to balance ‘chitchatting’ with her playing partners while also trying to squeeze in practice for this week’s tournament.

Despite being in the presence of golfing icons, Clark was undeniably the main attraction Wednesday morning.

Hundreds of spectators had risen at the crack of dawn to snag a front-rope spot for her 7am ET tee time.

Most of them, many donned in her No. 22 Fever or Iowa Hawkeyes jersey, confessed to DailyMail.com that they had traveled, some as far as eight hours, just to watch Clark in action – and she wasn’t even playing her sport.

And Korda hailed Clark’s impact on the event and hopefully on women’s golf as a whole.

Korda admitted that Clark didn't turn to her for any advice amid 'chitchatting' and playing

Korda admitted that Clark didn’t turn to her for any advice amid ‘chitchatting’ and playing

The Fever guard's round was filled with highs and lows, including a near-miss with a fan

The Fever guard’s round was filled with highs and lows, including a near-miss with a fan

‘I think it’s great for women’s sports,’ she insisted. ‘I love that she has a love for the game of golf. Me, like I’ve never really tuned into watching basketball before her honestly.

‘I think it’s just growing the interest in all of women’s sports. I hope that’s what grows from this relationship.’

While Korda was seemingly left impressed with Clark, she confessed her basketball skills may not have the same effect.

‘Probably needs work,’ she admitted when asked about her jump shot. ‘Probably not that good.

‘Maybe I’ll ask Caitlin for some advice. Maybe next time we get together it’ll be on a basketball court.