After a nerve-racking Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) debut at The ANNIKA, Kai Madison Trump – the granddaughter of Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America – wasn’t afraid to tell it straight in an interview after finishing with a first-round 13-over-par 83, thus landing herself a spot at the bottom of the leaderboard.
The popular teenager, however, hit two double bogeys and nine bogeys in her opening round at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. Upon Trump’s involvement being confirmed, the LPGA said she had a “broad following” and that she appealed to “younger fans” as they looked to tap in to a new audience.
An amateur golfer, 18-year-old Trump entered the competition, which carries a prize pot of $3.2 million, thanks to a sponsorship exemption. After a torrid first day out at the competition, which is set to run until Sunday, she returned to the Floridian course on Friday and finished 18-over for the tournament, as well as missing the cut.
Kai, Granddaughter of Donald, Trump Speaks Out About Coming Last in Maiden LPGA Tournament
Kai has enjoyed playing on some of the finer golf courses around the States – and some across the globe – given her grandfather owns an eye-catching 17 courses on the planet. That said, it wasn’t to be as she made her debut with her mother, Vanessa, and coach Jim Garren in attendance and on hand to give her tips and advice.
Although it wasn’t the finish she expected, Kai spoke to Golf Channel on Friday about the experience – and whether nervousness had any part to play in her premature exit. “It’s been awesome. It’s a lot of pressure, obviously, but I’ve been having a great time, especially today,” she said.
“I think the nerves have calmed down a little. Yesterday was a little scary, but today I feel more relaxed, and I feel like I’m ready to do this. The experience has been amazing, but I feel better today.”
On what has surprised her about the competition, Trump also singled out how the professionals – whom she shared the course with – are doing better than her right now. “How consistent they are,” she said. “I hit it just as far, but their irons, even if they miss it, they’re still on green.”
“Obviously, I think that’s something I have to work more on, especially short game. They all have amazing short game out here.”
Trump’s maiden competition may not have gone to plan, but this is not the last time golf fans will be seeing the youngster in action. Trump has already signed up to play college golf, she said, and that will result in several tournaments in the coming months as she looks to build on her experience.
“Really, what”s next to come is more tournaments,” she claimed before adding, “i just signed with the University of Miami on Wednesday, so I mean, more tournaments and eventually go to college.”
At the time of writing, the President’s granddaughter – who finished the first day four shots behind her closest competitor and 19 off the lead at the Annika – has played in a mere three amateur competitions across the season and, as a result, she is ranked 461st in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) rankings.
Trump, committed to the University of Miami’s women’s golf programme, has every chance of shooting up said rankings, though, given her support network includes her grandfather, whose advice was to “have fun, don’t get nervous.” Tiger Woods is also dating her mother, with the American golfing legend telling her to “go with the flow.”
