Kai Trump, the granddaughter of former President Donald Trump, faced a challenging introduction to professional golf on Thursday, finishing at the bottom of the leaderboard in her LPGA Tour debut.
A Challenging Start on the Professional Stage
Competing in The Annika tournament at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, the high school senior posted a score of 13-over 83. This result placed her last in the competitive field of 108 golfers. The breezy afternoon conditions presented a tough test for the young golfer.
Her round got off to a difficult start, with bogeys on the first four holes. Trump was unable to card a single birdie during the day, finishing with a total of nine bogeys and two double bogeys.
Nerves and Positives After the Round
Despite the high score, Trump maintained a positive perspective. "I was definitely more nervous than I expected, but I thought I hit a lot of great shots out there," she said after her round. "I hit a lot of good shots just to the wrong spots."
As a University of Miami recruit playing on a sponsor exemption, she also found encouragement in her power off the tee. "It was pretty cool because I know I hit it far, but kind of playing with the best players in the world and being literally right there or even outdriving on some of the holes, it felt pretty good," Trump noted. "Felt like my game is in a good spot, and especially only being a senior in high school."
Tournament Leader and Context
Meanwhile, Haeran Ryu seized the early tournament lead, shooting an impressive 6-under 64 while also playing in the afternoon wave. The event, named after golf legend Annika Sörenstam, showcases the world's best female golfers.
Kai Trump's participation, while ending in a last-place finish, marks a significant early step for the aspiring professional golfer and daughter of Donald Trump Jr., demonstrating the high level of competition on the LPGA Tour.
