Kai Trump will have an old family friend carrying the sticks on her LPGA Tour debut.
The 18-year-old, the eldest granddaughter of US president Donald Trump, has received a sponsor’s exemption to compete in The Annika at Pelican Golf Club in Florida.
It is a remarkable opportunity for Kai and, with more than six million followers on social media, is sure to generate enormous exposure for the penultimate event of the LPGA’s season.
Amateur Kai has only played in three events this year and is ranked 461st in the American Junior Golf Association rankings.
She has no shortage of high-profile supporters and has even asked Tiger Woods, who is in a relationship with her mother Vanessa, for advice.
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There will no doubt be a few nerves for Kai but she will at least have a familiar face as her caddie this week.
Who is Kai Trump’s caddie at The Annika?
Kai Trump has asked Allan Kournakova to carry her clubs.
Allan is the younger brother of former women’s tennis star Anna Kournakova.
In her pre-tournament news conference, Kai explained that she has been playing golf with him since she was “very, very little”.
“There is no one else I would want on the bag besides him,” she said. “He obviously knows golf. He’s a great golfer.”
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Kai was referencing the fact Allan played (and won) plenty of AJGA events whilst growing up.
He did not play collegiate golf.
Watch Kai’s press conference here:
Allan told Golfweek that the pair have spent the last few weeks dialling in her numbers and working on shots around the green.
“I don’t think there’s one cookie cutter way to handle it,” he said of the pressure and spotlight. “But she’s gotten very, very good at it.”
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Kai plays off a handicap of +0.5, which is incredible for a club golfer but a far cry from the pros or even elite amateurs.
She tees off at 17:30 GMT in round one.
What do you make of Kai receiving a sponsor’s exemption?
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