Kai Trump’s first two rounds on the LPGA Tour are in the books. The 18-year-old finished 18-over for 36 holes, but said the first words to her grandfather will be that she hit a “great shot on 18”
Kai Trump with grandfather Donald
The opening two rounds of Kai Trump’s LPGA Tour debut have concluded. Finishing with an 18-over total, the 18-year-old revealed that her opening words to her grandfather would highlight that she struck a “great shot on 18”.
Trump competed alongside some of golf’s biggest names, including former world No. 1 Nelly Korda and major champion Grace Kim. Her opening round concluded at 13-over 83, though she bounced back with an improved five-over 75 on day two.
Kai offered perspective on her maiden LPGA Tour appearance, including her planned conversation with her grandfather, the president, following the rounds. “I hit a great shot on 18 two days in a row,” she responded.
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The 18th hole had been Trump’s primary worry heading into the tournament, yet it became one of her strongest performances. She carded par on both occasions, making it one of just four holes where she avoided a bogey.
“After I hit my shot into 18 and that was honestly the hole I was worried most about and par’d that and I felt like, all right, now we got that out of the way; let’s keep moving on,” Trump commented following her opening round at The Annika.
“The whole time I was nervous without a doubt. I thought I did pretty good for just first time, being the youngest player in the field. I had a great time out there.”
Kai Trump struggled on her debut
Anxiety accompanied Trump as she began play at the Tour event, admitting she felt more nervous than when she appeared on stage at a national convention.
“On the first tee I was a little bit more nervous than the RNC. I thought I went in the bunker but I hit way past the bunker. I think honestly the adrenaline the whole time, I was hitting it way farther than I normally do, especially around some of the par-3s.
“But, yeah, I mean, compared to the RNC, I would say the first two shots were more nerve-wracking than the RNC.”
Her grandfather Donald, an avid golfer himself, offered her some advice before she stepped onto the professional stage.
Kai Trump settled down after a ‘scary’ experience to open her LPGA Tour debut(Image: Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“My grandpa pretty much told me to go out there and have fun. Just don’t get nervous. Try my best not to.”
Trump is set to attend the University of Miami after she graduates from high school, and plans to take the lessons she’s learned from professionals with her.
“I mean, honestly just prepare. I did everything I could possibly have done for this tournament, so I think if you prepare right the nerves can — I mean, they’re always going to be there, right? They can be a little softened. So I would just say that.”
