With the Trump name and 9M followers, 18-year-old Kai Trump makes headlines at her first LPGA appearance 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-level debut at “The Annika driven by Gainbridge” in Belleair, Florida. Still a high school student and set to start college next fall, Trump received a sponsor exemption to compete in one of the LPGA’s biggest events. Officially playing as an amateur, she brings with her over nine million social media followers. Tournament host Dan Doyle Jr. made no secret of the strategy: “It’s a door-opener for new viewers.” With a name like Trump, visibility is guaranteed.
Kai Trump’s LPGA spotlight debut
The invitation came from the host club and sparked plenty of discussion. Trump wasn’t selected for her golf ranking—currently 461 in the junior standings—but for her reach to audiences that rarely tune into women’s golf. Her massive Instagram and YouTube following delivers exactly what the tournament organizers hoped for: attention. “A sponsor exemption should make an event more visible,” Doyle said. And it worked. Rarely has an LPGA event generated this much buzz beforehand.
Balancing school, social media, and short game
Trump handled the spotlight with notable composure. At her press conference, she was candid about 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. She finished last at the recent Junior Invitational—24th out of 24—but sees it as a learning experience. “I learned a lot about my game,” she said. Before heading to Belleair, she sought advice from two big names: 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”
Annika Sörenstam, the tournament host, is no stranger to controversial invites—she played in a PGA Tour event in 2003. She defended Trump’s inclusion: “She brings attention to women’s golf—that aligns with our mission.” Sörenstam played nine holes with Trump on Monday. The teen asked questions about technique and strategy—no small talk, just genuine curiosity. “I wanted to know how she hits certain shots,” Trump explained. For Sörenstam, it’s clear: “She should feel welcome here. Give her the chance to show what she can do.”