The eldest granddaughter of Donald Trump has made no secret of her admiration for Rory McIlroy, and the 18-year-old has a special tribute to the four-time major champion inside her house
Rory McIlroy and Kai Trump(Image: Getty Images)
Donald Trump’s granddaughter Kai Trump has revealed the heartwarming memento she keeps of Rory McIlroy within her family home. The pair have encountered each other several times throughout the year, with their most memorable meeting being a practice round before February’s Genesis Invitational.
During their golf session at Torrey Pines, Trump amusingly tried to speed through the round “as fast as possible” whilst attempting to match the pace of the Northern Irish star.
McIlroy, for his part, didn’t hide his admiration for the young golfer and presidential granddaughter. Kai Madison Trump, 18, has become something of an American social media personality and golfer. She is the eldest child of Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Haydon and the eldest grandchild of the US president Donald senior.
It seems Kai Trump has treasured a special reminder from her time with Northern Ireland sporting icon McIlroy, reports the Irish Star.
In her latest YouTube vlog called “My First Day of Senior Year,” she disclosed that a photograph of herself with McIlroy is displayed in her Jupiter, Florida home’s “hangout room”.
“So this is like my hangout room,” Trump shared whilst sitting on her sofa. “If I have friends over I come in here,” she explained. When we moved back here my mum made this kind of a room for us, or for me at least.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 27: Kai Trump arrives before the TGL presented by SoFi match between the Jupiter Links Golf Club and Boston Common Golf at SoFi Center on January 27, 2025 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/TGL/TGL via Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
“I have all my trophies over here, some cool things I’ve done. I have a photo of me and Rory, Golden Goose designed me some shoes. I have just some of my golf stuff over here and whatnot.”
This isn’t the first occasion Trump has demonstrated her backing for McIlroy.
Back in April, President Donald Trump’s granddaughter openly supported the 36 year old’s chances of claiming victory at the Masters. In a TikTok video set to the tune of Lady Gaga’s 2009 smash ‘Bad Romance,’ Trump lip-synced the line “I don’t wanna be friends” and flashed a message saying: “Rory isn’t going to win the Masters.”
She also added in the caption, “Let’s go Rory, it’s time to get that green jacket!”.
After McIlroy clinched his long-awaited victory at the Masters on his 11th try – joining the elite ranks of Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods in achieving the career Grand Slam – Trump took to Instagram to celebrate, posting: “Congrats Rory, so well deserved! Beyond happy for you.”
Earlier in January, Trump, along with her mum Vanessa, attended the fourth night of the 2025 TGL season at SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
There, they saw Woods’ Jupiter Links Golf Club triumph over McIlroy’s Boston Common Golf team with a close 4-3 scoreline in the innovative golf league they both helped establish.
During the formal introductions of the players, Kai managed to snag a high-five from McIlroy as he walked by, reaching out over the barrier.
Weeks later, Trump showcased her own golfing skills at Torrey Pines during a charity event aimed at supporting those affected by the California wildfires.
Trump impressed with a stunning shot from the rough that landed gracefully on the green, earning accolades from McIlroy, who playfully combined his praise with a cheeky dig.
“Good shot, Kai. You’re too good for this YouTube golf,” McIlroy commented. Trump responded to the playful jibe with grace, retorting: “Honestly, I think that’s what it is. I’m just too good.”
