Kai Trump (Image Source: Getty) Days before the final stretch of the 2025 season for the LPGA Tour, 18-year-old Kai Trump received a sponsor’s invitation to play in The Annika by Gainbridge tournament from November 13-16 at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. Trump’s invitation is her first as a member of the LPGA circuit and a precursor to what will likely be one of the fiercer versions of the event in recent years.
Kai Trump’s invitation and what it means for her career
Kai Trump, who received what’s called a sponsor exemption to join the field at The Annika, which is a way to get a player who doesn’t meet the normal qualification criteria into the tournament. Until now, Trump has primarily played on amateur and junior circuits, as a senior at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach County, Florida, and a part of the incoming women’s golf recruiting class at the University of Miami.The LPGA said in announcing the sponsor invitations that the goal of their use is to highlight new talent and expose new fans to women’s golf. The opportunity is a huge step forward in the young career of Kai Trump. She mentioned in a statement: “My dream has been to compete with the best in the world on the LPGA Tour, and this event will be an incredible experience.”
What to expect from The Annika and the attention around Kai Trump
One of the LPGA’s highest-profile non-major dates every year, the Annika tournament is played at the Pelican Golf Club. In a field expected to be strong, Kai Trump will be in the starting line-up with some of the best players of the sport, including defending champion Nelly Korda and a host of top-ranked players from around the world.Also Read: Barstool golf favorite Cody “Beef” Franke dead at 31 after unexpected medical issueOf course, she adds a little bit more spice to the field with her family background, and her future in golf looks very bright indeed. As the daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and granddaughter of Donald Trump, naturally, Kai has received a good amount of media coverage.For the LPGA, Trump also sees an opportunity to draw in a younger audience and diversify the sport for different demographics. And for Kai herself, it is an important stepping stone from amateur to a possible career as a professional golfer. Her participation will be one of the biggest storylines of the Florida tournament, as she could either contend or just gain more experience.
