Kai Trump struggles in opening round of LPGA Tour…
It was a roller-coaster start Thursday for Kai Trump in her anticipated LPGA Tour debut.
Teeing off in the opening round of The Annika at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla., the 18-year-old granddaughter of President Donald Trump hit two bogeys and a double bogey on her first three holes before making par on the par-4 fourth.
She bounced back on the par-5 seventh gap with a birdie before including another double bogey to her scorecard on the par-3 ninth.
Kai Trump performs her shot from the sixteenth tee during the first round of The Annika Driven by Gainbridge on Nov. 13, 2025. Getty Images
Trump completed the entrance 9 at the underside of the pack with a 7-over 42.
Entering Thursday’s match, Trump — the daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and his ex-wife, Vanessa Trump — said she was making an attempt to keep the nerves in test, citing advice she obtained from her grandfather.
“My grandpa pretty much told me go out there and have fun. Just don’t get nervous. Try my best not to,” Trump said.
The event marked Kai Trump’s first LPGA Tour debut. ZUMAPRESS.com
Her mother, Vanessa Trump, watched from Pelican Golf Club. ZUMAPRESS.com
The teen, set to play collegiately at the University of Miami, obtained a sponsor’s invite to this week’s event, drawing the ire of detractors.
Despite the criticism, Trump drew an viewers for her first LPGA Tour event, with the Tampa Bay Times reporting Thursday “dozens watched” from the driving vary before her 12:32 p.m. tee time.
Elsewhere on the course, mother Vanessa watched Trump from the 18th, along with Miami assistant coach Jim Garren, according to Golfweek.
Kai Trump obtained a sponsor’s invite to the event. ZUMAPRESS.com
Vanessa’s boyfriend, 15-time major champion Tiger Woods, also offered Trump with some phrases of encouragement before the big day.
“I mean, he is the best golfer in the entire world. I would say that. And even better person,” Trump said. “He told me to go out there and have fun and just go with the flow. Whatever happens, happens.”
The Annika runs through Sunday.
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