There are zero expectations for Kai Trump this week.
The 18-year-old granddaughter of President Donald Trump received a sponsor invite to the Annika, the 2025 LPGA season’s penultimate event, and her pro tour debut has already achieved its purpose by drawing eyeballs to Pelican Golf Club on Florida’s west coast. Trump is committed to the University of Miami and aspires to play on the LPGA Tour. But she’s not ranked in the top 3,000 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings and is 461st in the Rolex AJGA Rankings.
Put simply, this week will be a massive step up for Trump. And while she won’t peg it Thursday with plans to contend with Nelly Korda, Lexi Thompson and others over the weekend, she will make her LPGA debut armed with advice from Tiger Woods, who dates Kai’s mother, Vanessa Trump.
The 15-time major champion has said many times he never enters a tournament he doesn’t believe he can win, but he had a different message for Kai.
“He is the best golfer in the entire world,” Kai said of Woods on Tuesday at her press conference. “I would say that. And even better person. He told me to go out there 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 around Pelican, Trump got pointers on her short game, and Sorenstam discussed with Trump how she should approach the week.
“I don’t think anybody here is thinking that she will be the one holding the trophy on Sunday,” Sorenstam said. “It’s about opportunities and memories and lessons learned. I spoke to her a little bit yesterday. You know, just make the most out of this week. There will be lessons learned. Take them to the future and learn. That’s how we grow. I mean, she’s [18], right? I mean, there are so many lessons she’s going to learn through life and today is — this week is going to be the biggest lesson 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 just 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 anybody would love to see.”
Trump’s invite is controversial, given her skill level and, of course, her last name. But sponsor invitations are about creating buzz and excitement, and grabbing eyeballs. Think Tony Romo at the Byron Nelson or tennis pro Mardy Fish at the 3M Open.
To that end, Trump’s involvement already has been a success. There has been more coverage of this week’s Annika than any non-major LPGA tournament this season. One could make a good argument that the buzz this week is greater than any tournament this season, excluding perhaps the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills.
All that’s left is for Kai Trump to put a tee in the ground on Thursday and enjoy 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 there and have fun and see which way it goes,” Trump said. “I’m going to take a lot away from it. Obviously, competing with the best players is going to be cool. To be inside the ropes with them, playing with them, learning what kind of shots they hit, what they do on the course.”
Sorenstam hopes that everyone who tunes in to watch Kai Trump play will do so with an open mind and the grace she wished she received when she played in the Colonial on the PGA Tour as a sponsor’s invite in 2003.
“Going out there and playing a big course and environment like this, I’m sure she’s used to a lot of people looking at 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 on the inside. I’m sure we can all relate to what it’s like to get criticism here and there, but she gets it a thousand times.
“That’s why I just want to give her a break, come out 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?”
