Donald Trump’s 18-year-old granddaughter learned a tough lesson in her first LPGA Tour appearance.
Kai Trump, granddaughter of former U.S. President Donald Trump, made her professional golf debut at the LPGA’s The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican tournament in mid-November—and finished in last place. The high school senior shot an 83 in the first round, landing her in 108th position, 19 strokes behind South Korean leader Haeran Ryu.
‘Landed in the wrong spots’
Despite the disappointing result, Kai Trump remained optimistic. She admitted to being more nervous than expected but felt she hit many good shots that simply “landed in the wrong spots.” Her first round included two double bogeys and nine bogeys. She improved in the second round with a 75. As the youngest player in the field, she said she was proud of her performance.
Just weeks earlier, she had made a public appearance at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park alongside her grandfather. Her participation in the LPGA event came via a sponsor’s invitation, highlighting her growing presence in the golf world.
Tiger Woods and a famous support system
Kai Trump’s golf journey is backed by some of the sport’s most influential figures. In addition to her grandfather, who is a well-known golf enthusiast, she also has the support of Tiger Woods. The 15-time major champion has reportedly been in a relationship with Kai’s mother, Vanessa Trump, since the beginning of the year. With such high-profile mentors, it’s no surprise her debut drew significant attention.
Next year, Kai plans to play collegiate golf for the University of Miami’s Hurricanes, aiming to further develop her skills and competitive edge.
Golf influencer with political reach
Beyond the course, Kai Trump has built a large following as a golf influencer. She frequently features her grandfather in videos on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, portraying him as a loving grandfather and dedicated leader. These efforts have helped her amass over 7 million followers and play a role in reaching younger voters.
Her first major public moment came during the Republican National Convention in summer 2024, where she delivered a speech praising Donald Trump as a family man and leader. Her growing influence in both golf and politics makes her a unique figure to watch in the coming years.