With a famous name and millions of followers, Kai Trump makes her LPGA debut at The Annika in Florida.
The LPGA Tour welcomes a new face this week: 18-year-old Kai Trump, granddaughter of former U.S. President Donald Trump, is making her professional debut at The Annika driven by Gainbridge in Belleair, Florida. Still a high school senior, Trump received a sponsor exemption to compete in one of the LPGA’s biggest events before heading to college next fall. Though she plays as an amateur, her presence is anything but low-key. With over nine million followers across social media, Trump brings a media spotlight rarely seen in women’s golf. Tournament director Dan Doyle Jr. openly acknowledged the marketing value: “It’s a door-opener for new audiences.” And with a last name like Trump, visibility is guaranteed.
Teenage Trump in the LPGA Spotlight
The invitation came from the host club and sparked plenty of debate. Trump isn’t in the field due to top results—she’s currently ranked 461 in the junior rankings—but because she reaches a demographic that rarely watches LPGA events. Her massive social media presence is exactly what Doyle Jr. was looking for. “A sponsor invite should make an event more visible,” he said. And it worked—rarely has there been so much buzz ahead of an LPGA tournament.
Balancing School, Social Media, and Short Game
Trump handled the media attention with surprising composure. In her press conference, she candidly discussed her weaknesses: short chips, tricky greens, nerves. “I’m a good ball-striker,” she said, “but I need to improve around the greens.” Her goal is to learn. At the recent Junior Invitational, she finished last—24th out of 24—but she doesn’t shy away from that result. “I learned a lot about my game,” she said. Before heading to Belleair, she sought advice from two influential figures: Tiger Woods—now dating her mother Vanessa—and her grandfather, Donald Trump. Both offered the same advice: “Have fun.” The former president won’t be attending. “He’s busy,” Kai said dryly. “But he told me to just play and enjoy it.”
“Give This Girl a Chance”
Tournament host Annika Sörenstam, who knows a thing or two about controversial invites—she played a PGA Tour event in 2003—defended Trump’s inclusion. “She brings attention to women’s golf, which aligns with our mission,” said Sörenstam. On Monday, she played nine holes with Trump, who asked detailed questions about technique and strategy. “No small talk—she was genuinely interested,” Sörenstam noted. Trump later explained, “I wanted to know how she hits certain shots.” For Sörenstam, the verdict is clear: “She should feel welcome here. Give her the chance to show what she can do.”