Kai Trump, the 18-year-old granddaughter of the U.S. President, has been handed a huge opportunity to compete in her first professional event next month
20:33, 29 Oct 2025Updated 20:35, 29 Oct 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, along with his granddaughter Kai Madison Trump(Image: Getty Images)
Donald Trump’s teen granddaughter has accepted an invite to play in her first professional event. That’s despite being ranked outside the top-450 in the US junior rankings.
Kai Trump, 18, who is set to enrol in Miami University on a golf scholarship later this year, has received a sponsor exemption to compete in The Annika in two weeks’ time. The Florida showpiece event is not a regular LPGA Tour tournament, with £2.45million kitty being handed out as some of the best in the sport prepare to feature.
“My dream has been to compete with the best in the world on the LPGA Tour,” Kai said. “And this event will be an incredible experience. I look forward to meeting and competing against so many of my heroes and mentors in golf as I make my LPGA Tour debut.”
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Due to the fact she’s ranked outside the top-450, there will be raised eyebrows surrounding her inclusion. But the connection is as obvious as the sponsors’ wish to have an individual involved with such a large social media reach.
Swedish golf legend Annika Sorenstam, meanwhile, regarded as one of the greatest ever in the female game, is a close friend of Donald and is said to have impacted Kai’s inclusion. Sorenstam, who retired from the sport in 2008 after winning 10 major championships, has made no secret of her admiration for the Trump regime and has become friendly with Kai.
In the minds of the organisers, the number of clicks her participation prompted would have more than justified her entry, even if she – and her grandfather – wasn’t a close friend of Sorenstam.
U.S. President Donald Trump and his granddaughter, Kai Trump(Image: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Kai – who has a handicap of 0.5 – has more than six million followers on social media and has a successful apparel and lifestyle brand aimed at young women in sports. As well as playing alongside the U.S. president and her grandfather Donald, she has played with golfers such as Rory McIlroy before and was seen at the Ryder Cup last month.
She posted a video during her appearance at Bethpage Black Course, New York, which naturally attracted millions of viewers. Despite mounting criticism at Kai, the Tour was unapologetic. “Sponsor invitations are an important way to spotlight emerging talent and bring new attention to our tournaments and the LPGA,” Ricki Lasky, the LPGA’s chief operations officer, said.
“Kai’s broad following and reach are helping introduce golf to new audiences – especially among younger fans. We’re excited to see her take this next step in her journey.”
