Sponsor Invite Kai Trump | 2025 The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican

Sponsor Invite Kai Trump | 2025 The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican

Good afternoon everybody. Welcome to Pelican Golf Club and the 2025 the Anukica driven by Gambridge at Pelican as our first uh pre-ournament press conference for the week. Uh in with us is our uh one of our three sponsor invitations, Kai Trump. Uh Kai, so uh let’s talk about um you competing this week. So, just simple question, how excited are you to be here and to be playing in your first LPJ tour event and to be playing alongside and against players that you have watched growing up and idolized growing up. I mean, it’s an honor. Um, I would like to thank the LPGA and the Doyle family for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to it. It’s It’s really cool to say that, you know, I’m playing my first LPJ event and I’m only a senior in high school. So, it’s pretty cool. you uh you played you you’ve practiced a little bit. You played the course yesterday. What’s your initial thoughts of of the golf course? Yeah, I mean it’s it’s beautiful. It’s in perfect condition. Um the greens are pretty tough, but the actual layout it’s really nice and um no, I’m looking forward to it. In uh yesterday’s proam, uh you were able to play with Anukica on your on your back nine. First time you’ve ever played with Anukica. Second time that you met. So talk about that experience just walking the nine with Anukica’s orange. I mean it was amazing. I asked her a few questions about her swing and you know what I should maybe do differently and I just asked her questions around the greens too because obviously around these greens they’re tough and you can hit different shots into them and what her opinion would be on some of those shots. But um it was really cool meeting her and obviously she’s a legend. So it was nice spending nine holes with her. And uh lastly from me and then we will uh open up for uh for questions. uh your commit to the University of Miami. You actually signed uh with Miami. So, your excitement and looking forward to continuing your golf career at uh in Miami this fall. Yeah, I mean I’m looking forward to it. Obviously, it’s been a dream of mine to compete at the college level and then obviously at the next level, the LPGA eventually. So, I’m looking forward to it. It’s cool to say that I signed and now it’s official and everything, but um I’m looking to go there in the fall and just playing for them. All right, everybody. I will open up for for questions. Uh we have uh microphones on the side. Just raise your hand if you’d like to ask a question and please identify yourself uh name and affiliation please. Hi Tom D’Angelo, the Palm Beach Post. Uh regardless of the outcome, regardless of how many days you’re out here, what do you think you’ll be able to take out of this? What will this mean to you going forward? Obviously, I think I’m going to learn a lot. Um no matter what happens, I’m just going to go out there, have fun, and see which way it goes. Um, but I’m going to take a lot away from it. Obviously competing with the best players, it’s going to be cool to actually be inside the ropes with them, playing with them, learning what kind of shots they hit, what do what do they do on the course. Um, so yeah, I’m just looking forward to it and, you know, playing with the best. Hi, Kai. You talked about, you know, growing Oh, excuse me. Sarah Kellum, LPJ tour. You talked about growing up watching some of these girls out here play. Is there anybody you’ve met this week or seen from afar this week that you’ve been like, “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe that’s Nelly Corda or Lexi Thompson or any of those kind of athletes?” Yeah, so in the morning if like I think maybe yesterday I saw Nelly on the range. I think that was pretty cool. Um she was definitely up before me, but um it was really cool seeing her and honestly all these players out here, they’re all amazing. They’re all good at what they do. Um and it’s just really cool to like be inside the ropes with them and actually be on the range with them. Um, and I think I’m just going to learn a lot from watching them play throughout the week and it’s been amazing so far. Hi, my name is Doug. I’m with the Outlier Group. I just wanted to take you back in time when you first started playing golf. What was it that kind of hooked you, made you want to come back and any standout memories of like a first birdie or close to par? Anything like that that really kind of kept you going in the game? Well, I started when I was two years old, um, playing golf, and I started golf and tennis when I was two years old. And my mom brought us to the course every single weekend in the summer. Um, and I think what I loved most about golf is that it’s challenging. You’re never going to be 100% and there’s always something to work on. And I think that’s what kind of keeps on bring me back to play golf and practice golf. But, um, I was very young, so I don’t know when a first birdie or first whatever. But I mean, I’d say first favorite memory is probably playing like the drive chip and putt maybe in the 2011ish. I think that was definitely like a cool memory. That was like one of my first tournaments ever playing in um in it and I still remember it to this day. Brenley, uh Brenley Roine Golf Channel. look forward to covering you in college golf. But, uh, this is obviously your first LPGA start, but what would you say was your biggest tournament before this week? And what particular lessons did you learn at that tournament that could help you this week? Yeah. Um, my biggest tournament was the Junior Invitational. Um, didn’t play so well, but I think I learned a lot in that tournament, not playing well, and just I learned a lot about my game, where I what I have to work on, where I have to be. Um, and I’d say that was the biggest one. That’s literally the one I’ve learned most from um in my golf, you know, so far. So, uh and if I could follow up, uh where do you get your confidence from? You know, talking with coaches who have seen you play, they’re pretty impressed by by that most of all. Where do you feel like that comes from? Um, good question. I don’t know. I just the way I was raised, I was always around a lot of people. You had to talk to them and um yeah, I say that’s where got my confidence from and my parents, too. All right, we’ll go Richard Curry up front. Yeah. How do you do against Gramps in golf? He’s pretty good. He’s pretty good. Yeah, he is pretty good. I mean, we have some tight matches, you know. Can’t say much, but yeah, we have some tight matches. Have you beat him yet or? Um, I’ll leave that up to you to decide. I don’t know. We play a lot. We have a great time out there. We’re always on the same team as well. Love you, grandpa. Thank you. I appreciate it. Kai Rob Motti with the Associated Press. Obviously, you’re living out a dream, right? A childhood dream to be able to get to this level. What would you say to other young girls who were pursuing a dream in any sport, whatever it may be, or anything in life to encourage them, inspire them? Yeah. I mean, at times it’s tough, but you know, keep on working. Keep on working hard. Um, and eventually you’ll get there. I’d say that. [Music] Hey guys, Scott Agnes, Fieldhouse Files. I’m curious how much, if at all, have you watched Caitlyn Clark and in her game and what is it like being another individual in sports that’s inspiring young girls to get into it and pursue it? Yeah, I mean, what Caitlyn’s doing for women’s basketball, it’s amazing. Um, I think she’s a great role model to um many people out there. Um, and I’m very lucky that people also look up to me in that way in golf. Um, and um, I’m just trying to grow Roman sports and just, you know, just try to grow as much as I possibly can. So, what Caitlin’s doing and what Anukica’s doing as well? It’s just, it’s amazing. Bethanne, Bethanne Nichols with Golf Week. Hi. Just curious who you work on your game with and did your grandfather give you any advice for this week? Um, well, I kind of I know my game pretty well, so I have a few people watch things over, but I don’t really work with anyone right now at the moment. Um, and my grandpa pretty much told me, you know, just go out there, have fun, and uh just don’t get nervous and try my best not to. And I know you you obviously spend some time around Tiger Woods and what’s his influence been like on your game? And did similarly, did he give you any advice for the week? Yeah, I mean he is the best golfer in the entire world. Um I would say that and he’s the even better person. So, you know, he told me just to go out there, have fun, and just go with the flow. Whatever happens happens. Okay. It’s Alex with Course of Life. Nice to meet you. Um regarding the groundbreaking content you put out on social media with your golf adventures and playing with grandpa, I’m curious what the content plan is for this week and what are you excited most to show your social media followers with your participation in the tournament? Yeah, I’m just going to show them, you know, the process. Um, I kind of started filming some stuff like maybe two weeks ago, just kind of ramping up to the LPJ event. Um, and just going to show them how it is and just the behind the scenes of um, how the tournament goes. Was that the coldest night holes you’ve played before this morning? It was pretty cold. I’ve played in colder, but it was it was pretty cold. Jeff Shane, the villages daily son. Um, as how how would you evaluate your own game? What are your strengths and what are your weaknesses? Um, I would say my strengths are definitely ball striking. I’m a great ball striker. I think I got to give it around the greens and I’ve been practicing a lot um with that, especially these greens are tough. So, you’re going to need to have good hands around the greens. So, I’d say that’s a weakness of mine. And then I did want to ask, what made you choose the University of Miami to play college golf? Yeah, I mean, I loved the coaches. Uh, it’s close to home, great school, and um, I just I love the people there. Um, my cousins went there as well, so I know people that have gone there. Um, and it’s, you know, it’s a great university, and I’m just looking forward to playing for them. All right, back in the back, Mark Skull. Hi, Mark Skull, Fox 13. Uh, what’s it like being the granddaughter of the president of the United States, and is he going to be here this weekend? Um, no, he’s not coming this weekend. and you know, he’s running the world right now, so he’s a little busy, but um uh it’s, you know, to me, he’s just a normal grandpa. Um always has been. And you know, it’s nothing. I just say it’s it’s like having a normal grandpa. Like there’s nothing different, I would say. So, um I mean, it’s pretty cool obviously, but to me it’s just normal. Amy Rogers with Golf Channel. Uh, can you take us through the process of when you found out that you had received this invitation to compete? What was that process of considering whether or not to accept it? Um, yeah, I found out maybe month ago, two months ago. Um, and um, yeah, I thought it was a great opportunity. Um, obviously I’m very lucky to be playing in this event. Um, and I was took it in a heartbeat and just been practicing a lot ever since. Can you share some of the advice that Anukica shared with you when you were playing as well? Yeah, same as you know everyone else. Just go out there, have fun, um, and just enjoy it because obviously you don’t have the first you’re not playing your first ever event ever again. Like this is just my first event. So just go enjoy it. Um, and uh, just have fun out there. I want to ask you about your caddy uh, Allan. you know, he won on the AJA a few years back, but what has your guys’ friendship been like, and how do you think he’ll fare as a caddy this week? Yeah, I mean, I grew up with Allan. I’ve been playing golf with him since I was very, very little. Um, he’s family friend, and there’s no one else I would want on the bag besides him. Uh, he he obviously knows golf, he’s a great golfer, and, um, I thought he’d be a great choice because at the same time, I also know my game as well. So, if I can have a friend on the back as well and a great golfer, it’s just going to make my uh time out there so much easier. So, I’d say that. Yeah. Any more any more questions? Uh I will close it out with uh with one last question for on Thursday. What’s that first te what’s that first te going to be like for you on Thursday in your first LPJ event? I mean, I’m definitely going to be nervous. Um and uh yeah, I’m just looking forward to it. Honestly, I think it’s more of a nervous excitement. It’s definitely a nervous excitement. So, I mean, just going to go out there, have fun, and take a deep breath before I hit the shot and just go from there. All right, Kai, thank you. Uh, Kai Trump, our sponsor, one of our sponsor invites? Uh, anybody have any final questions? Nope. Kai, thank you very much and good luck this week. Yeah, thank you guys. Appreciate it. Thank you.

Sponsor invite Kai Trump speaks with the media ahead of the 2025 ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican