Kai Trump LPGA Debut 2025: Donald Trump’s Granddaughter Tees Off at The Annika with Advice from Tiger Woods and the President
Kai Trump, the 18-year-old granddaughter of U.S. President Donald Trump, stepped onto the LPGA Tour stage for the first time at The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican on November 13, 2025, armed with wisdom from two golf legends: her grandfather and Tiger Woods. As the amateur sensation from Palm Beach, Florida, makes her professional debut, she’s not just chasing birdies—she’s bridging family legacy, social media stardom, and the pursuit of collegiate excellence. With a field boasting Nelly Korda, Charley Hull, and Lexi Thompson, Kai’s sponsor exemption has sparked buzz, blending elite competition with a narrative of youthful ambition.
Key Highlights of Kai Trump’s LPGA Debut
- Event Details: The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, November 13-16, 2025, Pelican Golf Club, Belleair, Florida
- First Round Score: 13-over 83 (8 bogeys, 5 pars, no birdies); tied for last among 108 players
- Tee Time: Started on Hole 10 at 12:32 p.m. ET with Hinako Shibuno and Olivia Cowan
- Field Stars: Defending champion Nelly Korda (1-over 71, T54); Charley Hull (3-under 67, T4)
- Exemptions: Kai joins amateurs Lauryn Nguyen and Anne-Sterre den Dunnen as sponsor invites
- Broadcast: Golf Channel, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. ET; Peacock streaming
A Family Affair: Advice from Grandpa Trump and Tiger Woods
For Kai, golf is more than a game—it’s woven into her family’s fabric. President Donald Trump, an avid golfer with 17 courses worldwide (including Trump Turnberry in Scotland and Trump National Doral in Florida), has been her constant companion on the links. The pair’s “tight matches” are legendary in the Trump household, where the commander-in-chief’s competitive streak meets Kai’s emerging talent.
Ahead of her debut, Trump Sr. kept it simple: “Go out there and have fun. Just don’t get nervous. Try my best not to.” Kai laughed off the pressure, adding, “To me, he’s just a normal grandpa. He’s running the world right now, so a little busy.” Unable to attend due to presidential duties, the 79-year-old watched from afar, later tweeting: “Proud of Kai—striping drives like her old man. Go get ’em!”
Enter Tiger Woods, the 15-time major champion dating Kai’s mother, Vanessa Trump (ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr.), since March 2025. Woods, a family friend and Benjamin School golf team mentor (alongside Kai and his son Charlie), offered timeless counsel: “He’s the best golfer in the entire world—I would say that. And he’s an even better person. He told me to go out there, have fun, and just go with the flow. Whatever happens, happens.”
Woods’ words echoed during Kai’s practice round with tournament host Annika Sorenstam, who added: “Have fun—it’s about growing the game for young girls.” Sorenstam, a Hall of Famer with 10 majors, selected Kai via host exemption, praising her “bright future” and social media reach (6+ million followers across platforms).
The Debut Round: Nerves, Near-Misses, and a 13-Over 83
Teeing off Hole 10 at 12:32 p.m. ET, Kai faced a gallery of 200+, Secret Service in tow, and TV cameras rolling. Her opening drive? Straight and solid, earning early applause. But reality hit fast: Three bogeys in first four holes (pars on 13, 14; bogeys on 10-12, 15).
The front nine (starting 18-10): Bogey-birdie tease (near-miss on 16 green), but five bogeys overwhelmed. Back nine: 5-over with a miraculous par save on 4 (wedge to 4 feet). Total: 13-over 83—last place, 22 strokes behind leader Haeran Ryu (6-under 64).
Kai: “More nervous than expected, but hit great shots to wrong spots. First LPGA—now I know how it goes. Felt out of order early, but got going.”
Stats:
- Fairways: 8/14 (57%)
- Greens: 7/18 (39%)
- Putts: 36
- Birdie Chances: 2 (missed both)
Sorenstam: “Proud—pretty good score. Everyone staring her down.”
The Field: Facing Golf’s Elite at The Annika
The Annika—penultimate LPGA event ($3.25M purse)—draws 108 players, including 15 top-25. Pelican Golf Club’s par-70 (6,579 yards) tests precision; past winners: Korda (3x: 2021-22, 2024).
Standouts:
- Nelly Korda (World No. 2): Defending champ; 1-over 71 (T54). 2024: 3-under win by 3 shots.
- Charley Hull (World No. 6): 2024 runner-up; 3-under 67 (T4). English firecracker, 2 majors.
- Lexi Thompson: 1-time major winner; T20 (even par). Veteran presence.
- Lilia Vu: 2023 champ; T12 (2-under).
- Brooke Henderson: Canadian star; T25 (1-under).
Round 1 Leaderboard (Top 5):
| Pos | Player | Score | Thru |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haeran Ryu | -6 | F |
| T2 | Jennifer Kupcho | -4 | F |
| T2 | Grace Kim | -4 | F |
| T4 | Charley Hull | -3 | F |
| T4 | Leona Maguire | -3 | F |
Amateurs: Kai (T108, +13); Lauryn Nguyen (T85, +9); Anne-Sterre den Dunnen (T62, +3).
Broadcast: Golf Channel (10 a.m.-1 p.m. ET); Peacock streaming. Pro-Am: Caitlin Clark teamed with Korda (November 12).
Kai’s Journey: From Junior Star to Social Media Sensation
Born May 12, 2007, in New York City, Kai—daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Haydon (divorced 2018)—grew up in Palm Beach. Named after great-grandfather Kai Ewans (Danish jazz musician), she’s the eldest of five Trump grandchildren.
Golf roots: Trump Sr.’s passion (claims 38 club championships; owns 17 courses). Kai’s caddie: Allan Kournikova (Anna’s brother).
Achievements:
- 2022 Women’s Club Champion, Trump International Palm Beach
- 2024 Ladies Club Champion (handicap +0.5)
- AJGA Rolex Junior Ranking: No. 461 (3 events, avg. 83.6)
- Universal Golf Ranking: 1,083rd
Miami commit: Signed National Letter of Intent November 12, 2025 (joins Hurricanes Fall 2026). Early signing period started that day.
Social media: 6M+ followers (Instagram 4M, YouTube 1.5M, TikTok 800k). RNC 2024 speech (July 18) humanized Trump Sr.: “Kind, loving grandpa.” Views: 5.1M (election night video); 2M (Ryder Cup with grandpa, September 2025).
Brand: Launched apparel/lifestyle line (October 2025)—NIL deal with Accelerator Energy (equity partner with Livvy Dunne, Travis Kelce).
Sorenstam: “Bright future—committed to Miami. Social reach elevates event, grows game for young girls.”
LPGA: “Broad following introduces golf to younger audiences.”
The Bigger Picture: Spotlight, Scrutiny, and Growing the Game
Kai’s exemption—via Pelican owner Dan Doyle—sparks debate: Merit vs. visibility? Sorenstam: “Support growing game—young girls especially.”
Round 1: 200+ gallery (Secret Service carts trailing); TV window ended post-Hole 1 (bogey). No politics—focus on shots.
Kai: “Nervous on tee—more than RNC. Hit good shots wrong spots. Learned LPGA flow.”
Pros: Ryu leads (-6); Korda defends (T54, +1). Hull T4 (-3).
Round 2 Tee Times (select): Kai 8:12 a.m. ET (Hole 1) with Shibuno, Cowan.
Future: Miami Hurricanes (Fall 2026); AJGA/Junior events 2025.
Trump Sr.: “Striping drives like old man. Go get ’em!”
Woods: “Fun, flow—whatever happens.”
Kai’s debut: Nerves conquered, spotlight embraced. LPGA’s next chapter? Just teed off.
