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Caitlin Clark Joins Legends at The ANNIKA LPGA Tournament for an Epic Day in Women’s Sports

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WNBA Superstar Catlin Clark
WNBA Superstar Catlin Clark speaks to the media during a press conference hosted by The ANNIKA LPGA Tour at Belleair, Florida, Tuesday, November 12, 2024. (Photo by J Willie David, III / Florida National News)

BELLEAIR, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam is bringing her star power back to the LPGA, hosting the season’s penultimate event, The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican Golf Club. Alongside her on the greens are women’s sports luminaries, including two-time major winner Brittany Lincicome, who steps away from full-time touring after this season, and WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark, whose debut on the LPGA stage promises a thrilling showcase of talent and camaraderie in women’s sports.

Caitlin Clark, the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year, brings a fresh dynamic to the LPGA event, playing in Wednesday’s Pro-Am with Annika Sorenstam and world No. 1 Nelly Korda. Known for her on-court dominance, Clark admits to “average” golf skills but expressed excitement about the crossover experience.

    • “I’ve tried to practice as much as I can,” Clark said with a laugh. “I’m just an average golfer. I’m going to hit some good, some bad. I’m just trying not to hit anyone standing outside the ropes.”
    • Reflecting on the excitement of stepping outside her comfort zone, Clark added, “I love being outside and making it competitive with friends. I just don’t want to hit anyone with a golf ball. That’s my No. 1 priority.”
    • In the pre-tournament press conference, Florida National News Reporter Mike Brodsky asked Caitlin Clark if there was a golfer she looked up to while growing up. Clark named PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy as her favorite golfer.

 

For fans, this event brings the best of both worlds: Lincicome’s nostalgic farewell and Clark’s first LPGA experience. Clark’s presence at the tournament underscores the unity among women’s sports and the support among female athletes across all leagues.

 

Brittany Lincicome LPGA Tour star. (J Willie David, III / Florida National News)

Brittany Lincicome, a proud St. Petersburg native, will mark her 20th LPGA season in what she’s calling her last full-time tour event. The moment is bittersweet as she brings her family to her home course for her final professional outing.

  • “It’s super special. There are going to be tears; not sure if it’ll be on the first hole or the last,” Lincicome shared. “My husband is caddying, and my parents will bring our girls out. It’s literally a dream come true to finish in my backyard.”
  • Clark is setting the bar playfully low for herself but shows appreciation for the sport. While her athletic prowess is unquestionable, she insists she’s keeping her golf ambitions realistic:
    • “I’m strong, and I can hit it, but it just usually doesn’t go straight,” she admitted. “You just step up there and hope for the best.”
    • Reflecting on her journey with golf, Clark shared that she used to play with her dad growing up and considers PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy her favorite golfer.

Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam, Tuesday, November 12, 2024. (J Willie David, III / Florida National News)

Sorenstam applauded the crossover appeal and impact of Clark’s participation, emphasizing the importance of women athletes supporting each other across sports. “What she has done for women’s basketball and sports is incredible. To have her here at our tournament is awe-inspiring,” Sorenstam remarked.

Takeaways:

  • Clark’s Influence: Her attendance spotlights women’s golf, generating cross-sport interest and enthusiasm.
  • Lincicome’s Farewell: A celebrated two-decade career concludes at home, with family and fans in attendance.
  • Sorenstam’s Legacy: Annika’s ongoing influence promotes both the LPGA and the future of women’s sports.

 

The Caitlin Clark Foundation

Caitlin Clark Foundation Received Generous Donation (Mike Brodsky / Florida National News)

Clark’s charity organization, the Caitlin Clark Foundation, was given a generous $22,000 donation through Gainbridge’s Parity Week program ahead of The ANNIKA LPGA Tour in Belleair, Florida.

The first official round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge tees off Thursday. Lincicome and Clark’s participation highlights a powerful blend of competitive spirit and community among women athletes.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
J Willie David, III and Mike Brodsky contributed to this report.
sports@FloridaNationalNews.com

Sports

Jahmyr Gibbs, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Nathan Shepherd Earn NFC Player of the Week Honors for Week 10

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NEW YORK, N.Y. (FNN SPORTS) – The National Football League (NFL) has announced its NFC Players of the Week for Week 10 (November 6, 9–10), recognizing standout performances from Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Seattle Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence, and New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd.

OFFENSE: RB JAHMYR GIBBS, DETROIT LIONS

Gibbs exploded for 172 scrimmage yards (142 rushing, 30 receiving) and three total touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) in the Lions’ 44-22 victory over Washington.

He led the NFC in scrimmage yards, rushing yards, rushing average (9.5 yards per carry), and touchdowns for the week. This marks Gibbs’ second career NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor (previously Week 14, 2024).

Gibbs joins quarterback Jared Goff (Week 2) as the second Lion to earn the offensive award this season. He is also the second Detroit running back—after Hall of Famer Barry Sanders (11-time winner)—to win multiple NFC Offensive Player of the Week awards.

A proud Alabama Crimson Tide alumnus, Gibbs becomes the fifth Alabama running back to earn multiple Player of the Week honors, joining Derrick Henry, Shaun Alexander, Mark Ingram, and Eddie Lacy.

DEFENSE: LB DEMARCUS LAWRENCE, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Lawrence turned in a dominant defensive performance in Seattle’s 44-22 win over Arizona, tallying four tackles, two fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns, one tackle for loss, and half a sack.

He became just the third player in NFL history to return two fumbles for touchdowns in a single game, joining Jeremy Chinn (2020) and Fred Evans (1948).

This marks Lawrence’s second career NFC Defensive Player of the Week award (first in Week 3, 2017). He is the first Seahawk to win since Leonard Williams (Week 13, 2024) and the first Seattle linebacker since Uchenna Nwosu (Week 1, 2022).

Lawrence is also the first former Boise State player to win multiple Defensive Player of the Week honors, joining Jay Ajayi as the only other Bronco to win multiple Player of the Week awards.

SPECIAL TEAMS: DT NATHAN SHEPHERD, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Shepherd made his mark on special teams, blocking a crucial field goal attempt that preserved the Saints’ 10-7 lead in the third quarter of their 17-7 win over Carolina—the only field goal block in the NFL during Week 10.

He added two tackles and a sack, contributing to a Saints defense that shut out the Panthers in the second half.

This is Shepherd’s first career Special Teams Player of the Week award, and he becomes only the second defensive lineman in Saints history to earn the honor (joining Bryan Bresee, Week 14, 2024). Shepherd is also the first player from Fort Hays State to ever win an NFL Player of the Week award.

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Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride Partner with The Ruckus to Host Community Food Drive

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USA U 17 Mens National Team Tops Group At 2025 FIFAf U 17 World Cup Advances To Knockout Stage Against Morocco

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DOHA, Qatar (FNN SPORTS) – The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team continued its impressive run at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, clinching the top spot in Group I with a 1-0 win over Czechia at Aspire Zone Pitch 4. Substitute Mathis Albert’s 78th-minute goal sealed the victory, giving the USA a perfect 3-0-0 record in group play — the program’s best start in 34 years.

Ranked third overall among group winners, the USA will face Morocco—who finished third in Group B—in the Round of 32 on November 14 or 15. FIFA is expected to confirm the official match date and time by Wednesday.

Albert’s Late Goal Seals Historic Win

With the group title within reach, head coach Gonzalo Segares rotated seven players from the starting lineup that defeated Tajikistan 2-1. Despite early pressure from Czechia, including a 14th-minute shot that hit the post, the Americans steadily grew into the match.

In the second half, substitute Mathis Albert brought new energy down the left wing, linking well with playmaker Máximo Carrizo. Their chemistry paid off in the 78th minute when Albert received a through ball from Carrizo, slipped behind the Czech defense, and calmly slotted home the decisive goal into the lower right corner.

The U.S. defense held firm despite a late red card to Mateo Tsakiris in stoppage time, preserving its second clean sheet of the tournament.

Milestones and Match Highlights

  • Historic Achievement: The victory marks the first time in 20 years—and only the fourth time overall—that the U.S. has won its group at the FIFA U-17 World Cup (previously in 1991, 1999, and 2005).

  • Perfect Record: It’s just the second time ever the U.S. U-17s have won all three group-stage matches, matching the 1991 squad’s feat.

  • Key Performances: Goalkeeper Aidan Stokes anchored a strong back line, recording two shutouts in three matches. Carrizo tallied his first assist of the tournament, while Albert netted his first U-17 World Cup goal.

  • Discipline: Tsakiris received a red card in stoppage time after a VAR review and will miss the Round of 32 match.

FINAL SCORE:

USA 1 – Czechia 0
Goal: Mathis Albert (78′)
Assist: Máximo Carrizo

The U.S. U-17s now turn their focus to the knockout stage, where they’ll look to continue their unbeaten streak and push deeper into the tournament.

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