There are no expectations for Kai Trump this week.
President Donald Trump’s 18-year-old granddaughter received a sponsor invitation to the Annika, the penultimate event of the 2025 LPGA season, and her pro tour debut has already accomplished its goal of drawing attention to the Pelican Golf Club on Florida’s west coast. Trump is committed to the University of Miami and has ambitions to play on the LPGA Tour. But she is not in the top 3,000 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings and is 461st in the Rolex AJGA Rankings.
Simply put, this week will be a huge step forward for Trump. And while she won’t pair it Thursday with plans to battle Nelly Korda, Lexi Thompson and others this weekend, she will make her LPGA debut armed with advice from Tiger Woods, who is dating Kai’s mother, Vanessa Trump.
The 15-time champion has often said that he never enters a tournament he doesn’t think he can win, but he had a different message for Kai.
“He is the best golfer in the world,” Kai said of Woods at her press conference on Tuesday. “I would say that. And even better person. He told me to go out and have fun and just go with the flow. Whatever happens, happens.”
Trump also got to pick the brain of LPGA legend and tournament host Annika Sorenstam during a practice round. As Trump and the 10-time major champion made their way through Pelican, Trump was given pointers on her short game, and Sorenstam discussed with Trump how to approach the week.
“I don’t think anyone here thinks she’s going to be the one holding the trophy on Sunday,” Sorenstam said. “It’s about opportunities and memories and lessons learned. I just talked to her yesterday. You know, just make the most of this week. There will be lessons learned. Take them into the future and learn from them. That’s how we grow. I mean, she’s [18]right? I mean, there are so many lessons that she’s going to learn through life and today is – this week is going to be the biggest lesson that she’s learned.
“Hopefully this will inspire her even more to work on her game and get better and start setting some goals. But as far as success for her, I mean, I can’t speak for her. Just come out here and absorb, meet players, enjoy the atmosphere and the course, and maybe make new friends; you know, create memories with your family. And then you go out there and do your best. That’s really all she can do and I think that’s all anyone would like to see.”
Trump’s invitation is controversial, given her skill level and, of course, her last name. But sponsorship invites are about creating buzz and excitement, and attracting attention. Think of Tony Romo at Byron Nelson or tennis pro Mardy Fish at the 3M Open.
2 Ways to Think About Kai Trump’s Controversial LPGA Invitation
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Josh Schrock
In that respect, Trump’s involvement has already been a success. More attention has been paid to this week’s Annika than any non-major LPGA tournament this season. You could make a good argument that the buzz this week is bigger than at any tournament this season, perhaps with the exception of the US Women’s Open at Erin Hills.
All that’s left is for Kai Trump to put a tee in the ground on Thursday and take advantage of an unexpected opportunity by following Woods and Sorenstam’s advice.
“I think I’m going to learn a lot no matter what happens. I’m just going to go out and have fun and see where things go,” Trump said. “I’m going to take a lot of that with me. Obviously, competing with the best players is going to be cool. To be on the ropes with them, play with them, learn what kind of shots they hit, what they do on the court.”
Sorenstam hopes that anyone who tunes in to watch Kai Trump play will do so with an open mind and with the grace she wished she received when she played as a sponsor in the Colonial on the PGA Tour in 2003.
“When she goes out and plays on a big court and in an environment like this, I’m sure she’s used to a lot of people watching her and analyzing everything,” Sorenstam said. “…I just don’t know how she does it, honestly. To be 18 years old and hear all the comments, she must be super tough inside. I’m sure we can all imagine what it’s like to get criticized here and there, but she gets it a thousand times.
“So I just want to give her a break, come over here and have fun. We want her to feel like family here, and I want her to feel welcome. I mean, give this girl a chance, right?”
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