WNBA star Caitlin Clark received a nice surprise from golf legend and two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson before her game at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Watson, who has tasted victory 12 times on the PGA Tour and now swings with LIV Golf, handed over a bespoke driver to the basketball sensation, having signed it as a unique gift just for Clark.
Clark, famed for her prowess on the basketball court, also harbours a passion for golf, having played since she was a kid. Though she’s ruled out turning her golf hobby into a professional pursuit, she’s been seen rubbing shoulders with golfing greats at pro-am tournaments like the John Deere Classic alongside Zach Johnson, and The Annika driven by Gainbridge, where she teed off with legends such as Nelly Korda and Annika Sorenstam.
During their encounter, Watson surprised Clark, saying, “I brought you a driver to sign for you. It’s one of mine, so I brought it.” Clark’s reaction to Watson’s gesture was all smiles, prompting her to inquire, “First WNBA game?”
To which Watson replied with a slice of personal history, “No,” explaining that his wife played basketball professionally for four years and was part of the Charlotte Sting roster. When Watson tied the knot with Angie Ball back in 2004, he had no inkling he’d be gifting one of his drivers to a basketball prodigy like Clark, whom he met during their college days at the University of Georgia.
In an endearing twist, Watson described meeting Clark as a “dream come true, not for her, but for me,” marking a significant moment of mutual respect and admiration between these titans of sport.
Before the Indiana Fever’s game against the Atlanta Dream, Clark’s second year in the league continued to attract phenomenal crowds and media buzz, mirroring her stellar career at Iowa.
Clark was enthusiastic about golf after speaking at The Annika, despite her hectic WNBA schedule. “You know, having my first WNBA season behind me and being here is super cool,” she commented last November.
“I’ve tried to take as much time as I can to practice, but there is only so much hope. You just cross your fingers, pray.
“I’ve practiced a little bit and I just had the quote about becoming a professional golfer. Everybody thought I was serious. I was not serious. I love it. I love being outside and making it competitive with my friends.”
Though calling herself an “average golfer” with a 16 handicap, Clark has hit mid-80s rounds, but confessed: “Usually, I’m just praying to break 100.”
This story first appeared on the US Mirror
