Women’s basketball has come a long way, especially with rising popularity and bigger deals. Increased viewership and NIL opportunities are changing the game. Much of the credit goes to Caitlin Clark, whose record-breaking play has drawn massive attention. Like Nelly Korda in golf, Clark’s impact is reshaping the landscape of women’s sports.
It all started with a tweet featuring Clark’s response to a question about a woman athlete she admires. “I’m gonna give a shout out to Nelly Korda,” Clark said. “Lucky enough, I got to play golf with her.” She praised Korda’s even-keeled demeanor, saying, “Things are great, she’s the same person. Things don’t go as great, same person.”
q: “is there a woman athlete whose game you admire?”
caitlin: “i’m going to give a shout out to nelly korda.” pic.twitter.com/UsHO8tfx4D
— cc akgae (@clrkszn) February 10, 2025
The two crossed paths earlier at the ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican during the Pro-AM on November 13, where they played nine holes together. Clark got a firsthand look at Korda’s composure on the course. Korda was equally impressed after the round. “(Caitlin is) so sweet, so nice. It was nice to get to spend some time with her,” Korda added to her first experience. She also saw Clark’s influence firsthand, noting how her presence drew excitement to the event.
Korda, who’s been vocal about women’s golf needing a boost, believes top-tier performance is the key. “If we’re performing and dedicating time to our sports training, that’s what’s going to bring more eyeballs to the game,” she said on 5 Clubs. Her words echo Clark’s impact on basketball as her stellar play has drawn unprecedented attention.
Despite challenges like dropping viewership, the LPGA Tour has seen glimmers of hope thanks to Korda and Lydia Ko’s dominance. While outgoing Commissioner Millie Marcoux Samaan has helped elevate the Tour, Korda’s focus on performance could be the catalyst for sustained growth.
In the bigger picture, this mutual admiration between Clark and Korda underscores how athletes across sports can inspire change. Whether it’s Caitlin Clark’s dominance or Korda’s consistency, their ability to captivate fans under pressure is a shared strength. And as Korda leads by example, her vision might just be the spark women’s golf needs to rise higher.
Championship mindset: Caitlin Clark, Bonner, and the Fever’s big leap
With Indiana making major moves, she’s poised to take the Fever to the next level. Similar to Korda’s focus on performance pushing women’s golf forward, Clark’s play has drawn record crowds, made headlines, and put the WNBA in the spotlight.
Bringing in DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard adds a championship pedigree that Indiana needs. CC knows it. Now, they’re set to bring that winning mindset to Indiana. Bonner is a two-time WNBA champ. She’s scored over 7,000 points and battled through countless playoff games. And Clark, the league’s reigning Rookie of the Year, is joining forces with one goal – bringing the Fever back to championship glory.
Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts during a NCAA non-conference women’s basketball game against University of Central Florida, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Clark and Bonner’s partnership is a game-changer. Last year, they were fierce competitors in the playoffs, but now, they’re united by one goal: bringing the Fever back to championship glory. Bonner sees Clark as a floor general who can elevate everyone around her. “I can give my knowledge, my leadership, and pass it along to these young players,” Bonner said. “They don’t need too much coaching—they’ve figured it out themselves. I just want to make basketball a little easier for them.”
The Fever’s second-half surge last season was a glimpse of their potential. Their fight impressed Bonner, who faced them in the playoffs, “The way they came out in the second game showed the type of players they have and the vision they want to go to,” she said. With Clark’s vision and Bonner’s experience, Indiana is building more than a team—they’re building a culture.
Clark’s vision for the Fever is clear—she wants to make Indiana the franchise of all women’s sports. Korda wants the LPGA Tour to rise alongside its players. The formula is simple: win, inspire, and let the world take notice.
The post Caitlin Clark Returns Back Favor by Giving Shout Out to LPGA No.1 Ranked Golfer Nelly Korda appeared first on EssentiallySports.
