The LPGA Tour has officially responded to the criticism over the Kai Trump decision.
Kai Trump, the 18-year-old granddaughter of President Donald J. Trump, will be participating in an LPGA Tour event this month. The high school senior, who is committed to playing golf at the University of Miami next year, will be making her LPGA Tour debut on Nov. 10-16 at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla. She will be competing as a sponsor invitation in The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.
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The granddaughter of President Trump has built up a huge following on social media, with millions of followers across X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
“My dream has been to compete with the best in the world on the LPGA Tour, and I am thrilled to be able to compete at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican in November,” said Trump. “This event will be an incredible experience. I look forward meeting and competing against so many of my heroes and mentors in golf as I make my LPGA Tour debut.”
LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 12: Kai Trump watches her shot on the ninth hole prior to The Genesis Invitational 2025 at Torrey Pines Golf Course on February 12, 2025 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images
The Pelican Club and the LPGA Tour are excited to bring Kai Trump into the fold later this month.
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“Kai Trump has a tremendous passion for the game and is expanding the sport to broader audiences,” said Justin Sheehan, Director of Golf and COO, Pelican Golf Club. “She has a bright future at Miami, and we look forward to welcoming her and our entire tournament field to Pelican Golf Club in November.”
“Sponsor invitations are an important way to spotlight emerging talent and bring new attention to our tournaments and the LPGA,” said Ricki Lasky, LPGA Chief Tour Business and Operations Officer. “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, and we’re proud to work closely with our partners in Tampa Bay whose continued commitment to advancing the women’s game helps elevate the LPGA and expand its visibility.”
The LPGA Tour has been facing criticism for its decision, though, as Kai Trump’s recent golf scores have come to light. Others are frustrated with the granddaughter of President Trump getting special access.
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The LPGA Tour is standing by its decision, though
Justin Sheehan, chief operating officer of the tournament’s host club, Pelican Golf Club, is standing by the decision.
The LPGA Tour wants to grow the game.
“I would imagine, since the Tuesday announcement, that this is one of the most talked-about women’s golf tournaments that has probably ever existed,” he said in a phone interview with golf.com on Thursday. “It’s on news channels and sports channels. The numbers of social-media impressions, I guess they call it, are staggering. Love it or hate it, it’s getting people to talk about the event.
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“We’re on a mission to grow this game. Seeing the impact Caitlin had last year was fairly eye-opening.”
The LPGA Tour has certainly got people talking this week, that’s for sure.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Nov 2, 2025, where it first appeared in the Golf section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
