You don’t have to look any further than Instagram to understand why the most notable player at this week’s LPGA Tour event isn’t one of the top women’s professionals in the field, but rather an 18-year-old high school senior with a famous last name.
Kai Trump, granddaughter of the President of the United States, is listed on the social-media platform as having 2.5 million followers. To give that some context, Jeeno Thitikul, Nelly Korda, Miyu Yamashita, Lydia Ko and Minjee Lee, the top five women’s professionals in the latest Rolex Rankings, have 1.76 million followers … combined.
Bringing attention to the tournament is what sponsor’s exemptions generally aim to do, and it is among the reasons officials with The Annika driven by Gainbridge extended Trump an invitation to make her first start in an LPGA event this week at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
I will be making my LPGA Tour debut in November at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican! See you November 10-16 – at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, FL. Visit https://t.co/iUuh3w1b47 @theannikalpga @ANNIKA59 @LPGA for more information. pic.twitter.com/mmqVfMFukD
— Kai Trump (@kaitrump) October 28, 2025
“Kai’s broad following and reach are helping introduce golf to new audiences, especially among younger fans,” said Ricki Lasky, LPGA Chief Tour Business and Operations Officer, in a release last month. “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.”
Whether this is the appropriate next step in her journey, however, is the question many have asked in the wake of the announcement. Trump, who is set to play college golf at Miami next fall, currently ranks 461st in the AJGA Rolex Junior Rankings. Her scoring average in three AJGA starts in 2025 is 83.6. She has not qualified to play in a USGA event, and in arguably the most prestigious event she has played in up until now, the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley, she finished in last place by 22 shots with rounds of 89-79-83-89.
As Trump prepares to make her first start in a professional event, here’s what you need to know:
How did Kai Trump get picked to play in the event?
The tournament is given three sponsor’s exemptions, with each stakeholder in the event able to use one. Annika Sorenstam, the tournament’s namesake, picked Wake Forest senior Anne-Sterre den Dunnen, who played for the winning Demon Deacons at the 2025 Annika Intercollegiate. Gainbridge chose Lauryn Nguyen, who played on the Northwestern women’s team that won the NCAA title last May. And Pelican’s owner, Dan Doyle and family, invited Trump.
Where does Kai Trump go to school?
Trump attends The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Fla. That’s the same private high school where Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, goes to class and plays golf. In March, Tiger Woods confirmed on social media that he was in a relationship with Kai Trump’s mother, Vanessa.
Kai Trump and Tiger Woods arrive to the course during the final round of The Genesis Invitational in February. Michael Owens
Who will caddie for Kai Trump at The Annika?
According to Brentley Romine of GolfChannel.com, Allan Kournikova will be her caddie this week. If that name sounds familiar it is because he’s the younger brother of former tennis sensation Anna Kournikova and was also a subject in the Netflix documentary, “The Short Game,” about junior golf prodigies. Kournikova is 21 and is friends and frequent golf partners with Trump.
Does Kai Trump have an NIL deal?
With 2.5 million followers on Instagram (and 9 million total between YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and X accounts, you better believe she does. According to Beth Ann Baldry at Golfweek, Trump is represented by GSE Worldwide, whose clients include Bryson DeChambeau and Lexi Thompson. She has a deal in place with TaylorMade and Accelerator Active Energy, and she debuted her own clothing line in September.
Will President Trump attend the tournament?
No plans for President Trump to watch in person have been made public.
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