The granddaughter of U.S. President Donald Trump, Kai Trump, is expected to make her highly-anticipated LPGA debut this week. The 18-year-old amateur will play in The Annika tournament at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair after getting a sponsor’s exemption.
With the perfect mix of family encouragement and guidance from one of the all-time greats of the game, Kai Trump comes into the spotlight as one of the most talked-about young names in the sport.
Trump’s Message: “Go Out There and Have Fun”
Despite his busy schedule, Donald Trump -a lifelong golf enthusiast who owns 17 golf courses worldwide, including three in the UK -has been a constant inspiration throughout his granddaughter’s golfing journey.
Kai says her grandfather gave her simple yet powerful advice before her first LPGA event:
“He told me not to get nervous. My grandpa pretty much said, ‘Go out there and have fun.’ To me, he’s just a normal grandpa. He’s not coming this weekend he’s running the world right now, so a little busy.”
The former U.S. president is known for his passion in golf, playing competitive rounds with Kai any time he can get.
Tiger Woods’ Advice: “Go with the Flow”
And adding another layer of star power to this, Tiger Woods has been mentoring the young golfer; he is currently in a relationship with Kai’s mother, Vanessa Trump.
Kai, in turn, praised Woods, saying:
“He’s the best golfer in the entire world and an even better person. He told me to go out there, have fun and go with the flow.”
Having access to advice from one of golf’s greatest minds could be a game-changer for Kai as she transitions into elite-level competition.
An Up-and-Coming Amateur with International Admirers
The buzz in golf comes from Kai Trump, who is a young amateur golfer and is already making waves in sports and elsewhere. She has played in three events this year and is currently ranked No. 461 in the AJGA standings.
Apart from golf, Kai is a social media influencer with over six million followers, which she uses to inspire young fans, and promote her apparel and lifestyle brand.
According to the LPGA, Kai’s “broad following and reach are helping introduce golf to new audiences, especially among younger fans,” an indication of her potentially becoming a crossover star in both sport and culture.
Facing the best at The Annika
Kai Trump’s LPGA debut will be anything but easy: She will go head-to-head against some of the world’s top golfers, including:
Nelly Korda (World No. 2 and defending champion)
Charley Hull (England)
Lexi Thompson (USA)
Lilia Vu (2023 champion)
Though being an underdog, Kai remains optimistic and is concentrating on experience at the top level.
Donald Trump’s Role in Golf The Trump family’s association with golf has been well-established over the years. Donald’s venues have been home to several of the most prestigious events, and if he said he loved the game that many times, it would be as many times as he has told Kai. His endorsement of Kai’s dream is evidence of the family’s seemingly infinite associations with the game.
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