Sports
Caitlin Clark Joins Legends at The ANNIKA LPGA Tournament for an Epic Day in Women’s Sports
Published
2 years agoon
By
Willie DavidBELLEAIR, 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, 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
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
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Central Florida News
2027 Arnold Palmer Invitational Tickets Go on Sale With Exclusive Mastercard Presale
Published
1 day agoon
September 12, 2026By
FNN SPORTSGeneral public ticket sales begin Sept. 17 for Central Florida’s signature PGA TOUR event at Bay Hill
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Golf fans can begin making plans for the 2027 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, with tickets and upgraded fan experiences now available exclusively to Mastercard cardholders ahead of next week’s general public sale.
The Mastercard presale began Sept. 10, a date that would have marked golf legend Arnold Palmer’s 97th birthday. The tournament returns March 18-21, 2027, to Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando.
Tickets for the general public go on sale Thursday, Sept. 17.
Ticket Prices Start at $40
General admission tickets start at $40 for Tuesday and Wednesday practice rounds. Thursday tickets begin at $85, while admission Friday through Sunday starts at $99.
Prices are before fees and are subject to change.
Mastercard cardholders can save 10% on ticket purchases, excluding taxes, when paying with a Mastercard.
“We strive to create unique experiences at all price points,” Tournament Director Drew Donovan said. “From our special events to our premium experiences, there is something for everyone.”
Donovan said spectators can choose from experiences ranging from Bay Hill Clubhouse access at The Orange Grove to front-row viewing at the Michelob Ultra Fan Deck and the premium Lakehouse experience.
Premium Fan Experiences Return to Bay Hill
The Orange Grove returns in 2027 with enhanced amenities, including access to the Bay Hill Clubhouse. The all-inclusive experience features tournament grounds admission, daily clubhouse access, entry to Arnie’s at the Orange Grove, food and beverages, private greenside seating at No. 9 and parking with the four-day Tournament Experience package.
The Michelob Ultra Fan Deck, located between the 15th green and 16th tee, also returns following a full rebrand. The venue features upgraded concessions, a large live video wall and front-row views of players competing at No. 16. Fan Deck tickets, including grounds admission, start at $150.
The Lakehouse returns after selling out in each of its first two years, including an even faster sellout in 2026.
Tournament organizers also plan to bring back Wine & Dine on 9, Birdies & BBQ and Throwback Thursday presented by Corkcicle. All three events sold out last year. Dates, prices and additional details are expected to be announced later.
Akshay Bhatia Set to Defend Title
Defending champion Akshay Bhatia is expected to return to Bay Hill following a career-best year and will compete for a share of the tournament’s elevated $20 million purse.
The 2027 field is expected to once again feature many of the world’s leading golfers competing for one of the PGA TOUR’s most prestigious titles. Additional player commitments will be announced closer to tournament week.
Continuing Arnold Palmer’s Legacy
The Arnold Palmer Invitational has become one of Central Florida’s signature sporting events while preserving Palmer’s influence on professional golf and the Orlando community.
Proceeds benefit the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation and its work supporting children’s health, character development and nature-focused wellness initiatives.
The tournament will be played March 18-21, 2027, at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando.
Central Florida News
Buccaneers-Bengals Injury Report: Jalen McMillan, Justin Skule, Sean Tucker Doubtful
Published
1 day agoon
September 12, 2026Tampa Bay lists three players as doubtful, while linebacker Christian Rozeboom is questionable ahead of matchup with Cincinnati
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be without three players when they face the Cincinnati Bengals, with wide receiver Jalen McMillan, offensive tackle Justin Skule and running back Sean Tucker listed as doubtful on Friday’s final injury report.
Linebacker Christian Rozeboom is questionable with a foot injury, while outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr., wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and guard Billy Schrauth carry no game-status designation after finishing the practice week as full participants.
Three Buccaneers Listed as Doubtful
McMillan, who is dealing with a knee injury, was limited in practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before receiving a doubtful designation.
Skule followed the same practice pattern while dealing with an oblique injury. Tucker did not practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury before returning as a limited participant Thursday and Friday. Both are also listed as doubtful.
Rozeboom was limited throughout the week with a foot injury and is questionable.
Bain progressed from limited participation Wednesday to full participation Thursday and Friday despite a shoulder injury. Egbuka, who is dealing with a toe injury, and Schrauth, who has a knee injury, were full participants throughout the week. None of the three received a game-status designation.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injury Report
| Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen McMillan | WR | Knee | Limited | Limited | Limited | Doubtful |
| Justin Skule | T | Oblique | Limited | Limited | Limited | Doubtful |
| Sean Tucker | RB | Hamstring | DNP | Limited | Limited | Doubtful |
| Christian Rozeboom | LB | Foot | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
| Rueben Bain Jr. | OLB | Shoulder | Limited | Full | Full | — |
| Emeka Egbuka | WR | Toe | Full | Full | Full | — |
| Billy Schrauth | G | Knee | Full | Full | Full | — |
Bengals List Shemar Stewart as Doubtful
Cincinnati defensive end Shemar Stewart is doubtful with a knee injury after his participation declined during the week. Stewart was a full participant Wednesday, limited Thursday and did not practice Friday.
Star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase did not participate Friday because of a knee/rest designation after practicing fully Wednesday and Thursday. Chase, however, received no game-status designation.
Wide receiver Tee Higgins was a full participant throughout the week despite a foot injury and also carries no game-status designation.
Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen returned to full participation Friday after a scheduled rest day Thursday. B.J. Hill was limited Thursday before returning to full participation Friday.
Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II did not practice Friday because of rest, while cornerback D.J. Turner II was limited Thursday and Friday with a hamstring injury. Neither received a game-status designation.
Cincinnati Bengals Injury Report
| Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shemar Stewart | DE | Knee | Full | Limited | DNP | Doubtful |
| Jonathan Allen | DT | Rest | — | DNP | Full | — |
| Ja’Marr Chase | WR | Knee/Rest | Full | Full | DNP | — |
| Tee Higgins | WR | Foot | Full | Full | Full | — |
| B.J. Hill | DT | Rest | — | Limited | Full | — |
| Dexter Lawrence II | DT | Rest | — | — | DNP | — |
| D.J. Turner II | CB | Hamstring | — | Limited | Limited | — |
What It Means for Tampa Bay
The biggest concern for the Buccaneers is the potential loss of depth across multiple offensive positions. With McMillan, Skule and Tucker all considered unlikely to play, Tampa Bay could be forced to adjust its receiver rotation, offensive line depth and running back workload against Cincinnati.
The positive development is that Bain, Egbuka and Schrauth finished the week as full participants without game-status designations, putting Tampa Bay in a stronger position at several other key spots.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, enters the matchup with Stewart doubtful but without game-status designations for several other notable players who appeared on the injury report, including Chase and Higgins.
Under NFL injury-report terminology, doubtful means a player is unlikely to play, while questionable means it is uncertain whether the player will play. DNP indicates a player did not participate in practice.
North Florida News
WNBA Bound: Jacksonville Waves Guard Shyanne Sellers Signs With Los Angeles Sparks
Published
2 days agoon
September 11, 2026By
FNN SPORTSFormer Maryland standout becomes the first Jacksonville Waves player to earn a WNBA opportunity after helping lead the team to the UPSHOT League championship game.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Jacksonville Waves guard Shyanne Sellers has signed a Player Development Pool contract with the Los Angeles Sparks after a standout 2026 season in the UPSHOT League.
Sellers averaged 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game for Jacksonville while ranking third in the league in assists. Her performance helped the Waves reach the UPSHOT League’s inaugural championship game and earned Sellers another opportunity in the WNBA.
From Maryland Standout to the Pros
A former University of Maryland standout and member of a basketball family from Ohio, Sellers has continued building her own professional career.
She was selected No. 17 overall by the Golden State Valkyries in the 2025 WNBA Draft and later spent time with the Dallas Wings before joining the Jacksonville Waves.
The UPSHOT League’s inaugural season gave players such as Sellers another opportunity to compete at a high level, develop their games and position themselves for additional professional opportunities.
Jacksonville Waves guard Shyanne Sellers drives to the basket against a Charlotte defender during UPSHOT League action. Photo: Nisey Spruill/Florida National News
First Jacksonville Waves Player to Earn WNBA Opportunity
Sellers’ performance in Jacksonville ultimately put her back into the WNBA pipeline, making her the first Waves player to receive a WNBA opportunity.
Her Player Development Pool contract with Los Angeles represents another significant step in her professional career and an early milestone for the Jacksonville Waves organization.
A Jacksonville Waves player drives to the basket for a layup while being defended by a Charlotte player during UPSHOT League action. Photo: Nisey Spruill/Florida National News
Jacksonville-to-WNBA Pipeline Takes Shape
Sellers’ signing also highlights the potential role of the UPSHOT League and Jacksonville Waves as a pathway for players seeking to remain competitive and earn opportunities at the highest level of women’s professional basketball.
For Jacksonville, Sellers becomes the franchise’s first player to make the jump from the Waves to a WNBA organization.
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– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
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