Caitlin Clark showcases sweet golf swing at John Deere Classic
SILVIS, Ill. (BVM) – Caitlin Clark has showcased her generational talent on the basketball court over the past three years for the Iowa Hawkeyes. However, it turns out she has some pretty special skills in another sport as well.
On Wednesday, Clark teed it up in the pro-am of the John Deere Classic, a PGA Tour event which will be held this weekend at TPC Deere Run just outside of Moline, Illinois. Right away, the Iowa basketball star began her round with a beautiful-looking tee shot that was fairway bound on the first hole.
Right down the middle.@CaitlinClark22's got game @JDClassic 💪 pic.twitter.com/rFLEZuvtKI
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 5, 2023
Before she had even teed off, Clark drew quite the crowd following her at the course – a group which included Hawkeyes’ assistant coach Jan Jensen – and that only continued as the round went on.
Which a huge gallery already at Deere Run @CaitlinClark22 doesn't disappoint! Here's her 1st drive at the @JDCLASSIC @wqad pic.twitter.com/pW5GbMvJ0Q
— Matt Randazzo (@MattRandazzo) July 5, 2023
The group following @CaitlinClark22 at John Deere Classic Pro-Am; that is @IowaWBB assistant coach Jan Jensen leading the pack. By my count, Clark is 4 over through 6 holes, has not missed a fairway, and I have lost count how many autographs she has signed. pic.twitter.com/6bJDMdwYSQ
— Michael Voepel (@MAVoepel) July 5, 2023
The large crowd may be relatively rare for the day before a PGA Tour event, but it is not surprising considering Clark’s celebrity status around Iowa.
Caitlin Clark just finished her front 9! On to the back half alongside Zach Johnson! pic.twitter.com/2RQA511ax9
— Owen Siebring (@owensiebring) July 5, 2023
Following elite freshman and sophomore seasons for the Hawkeyes in which she became a first-team All-Big Ten player and All-American, Clark became arguably the top player in women’s college basketball in 2022-23, averaging 27.8 points, 8.6 assists and 7.1 rebounds.
She continued to show an elite shooting stroke from deep, leading the country in 3-point field goals (140) and 3-pointers per game (3.68). Leading the Hawkeyes to a Big Ten tournament title and the national championship game as well, Clark was again named a unanimous first-team All-American while winning the John R. Wooden Award, and taking home Naismith Player of the Year honors.
Clark’s NIL valuation and social media following have continued to soar and are among the best in women’s college basketball. The West Des Moines native continues to be sought after for various off-court events, and playing at the pro-am of the John Deere Classic was a perfect way for Clark to show off her skills in a sport she has been playing since she was a kid. Meanwhile, it was also a big draw for the PGA Tour event.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring our fans the opportunity to see Caitlin Clark and Zach Johnson, two Iowa sports heroes, play,” tournament director Andrew Lehman said when it was announced Clark would compete in the pro-am last month. “Zach has been the face of the tournament for many years, and Caitlin’s presence will bring a jolt of electricity to the grounds and help us introduce youngsters and non-golf fans to this great game.”
Johnson, a native of Cedar Rapids, is one of the top golfers to ever come out of the Hawkeye State. The 2007 Masters champion and 2015 Open champion won the John Deere Classic back in 2012, and will be looking to become a repeat champion in 2023 with his first PGA Tour victory in several years.
On the back nine of the pro-am, Johnson and Clark paired up together, creating quite a moment for Iowa sports fans.
Iowa legends pic.twitter.com/yy5VMBiF4G
— Owen Siebring (@owensiebring) July 5, 2023
Maybe the first and only time ever that Zach Johnson isn’t the biggest JDC attraction. He and Caitlin Clark now linked up on the back 9. #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/7mo30SiMvl
— Dargan Southard (@Dargan_Southard) July 5, 2023
Both athletes also hosted a youth clinic on the driving range at TPC Deere Run following Wednesday’s round.
As Johnson continues his season and looks ahead to the Ryder Cup in the fall where he will be the captain of the U.S. team, Clark will continue to get ready for her last go around in a Hawkeye uniform beginning later this year.
Coming off a 31-7 season in which they were the national runner-up, expectations are higher than they perhaps ever have been for women’s basketball in Iowa City. No matter what the season brings, it’s likely Clark will create more memorable moments for those in the Hawkeye State, just as she did last March, and as she now has by appearing in the John Deere Classic pro-am.
