Kai Trump, the granddaughter of United States President Donald Trump, competed in her first professional golf event last week but finished in last place
Kai Trump officially committed to play college golf at the University of Miami last week(Image: Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Kai Trump’s soon-to-be college coach eased the pressure on the 18-year-old after she finished last in her professional golf debut.
Trump, granddaughter of former U.S. President Donald Trump, was given an exemption to play in the LPGA Tour event The Annika last week, where she shot 18-over through two rounds, finishing last out of 108 players and missing the cut.
Jim Garren, assistant coach for the University of Miami women’s golf team and Trump’s future coach, highlighted the immense challenge it was for the high school senior to compete against seasoned professionals. “She’ll never play a more pressure-filled round in her career,” Garren told The Daily Mail. “Not only her first start but her first pro start and a big-time event. And she’s coming from junior golf straight to that.
READ MORE: Texas A&M coach set for huge new contract after historic start to seasonREAD MORE: Nick Saban namechecks three college teams who are ‘cut above’ in playoff push
“She hasn’t even reached our level yet,” Garren said, referring to college golf. “So it’ll never get harder for her career.”
The high school senior officially committed to play college golf at the University of Miami on the eve of her professional debut, which took place at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
She had signed to play for the Hurricanes some time ago, but due to NCAA regulations, it wasn’t made official until last week.
Trump, who received advice from the former president and Tiger Woods ahead of her LPGA debut, had a tough opening round on Thursday, carding a 13-over par 83.
Kai Trump told reporters the experience of making her LPGA debut was “amazing”(Image: Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images))
The teenager confessed that competing against professionals felt “a little scary” and managed to shrug off her triple-bogey on the fifth hole during her opening round before delivering a moment of excellence in Friday’s second round.
Trump posted a significantly better five-over 75 on Friday, though it wasn’t sufficient to elevate her from the bottom position she had dropped into. She finished six shots behind 107th-place finisher Benedetta Moresco, and 17 strokes away from making the cut.
Despite her disappointing result, Trump gained valuable insights from the tournament.
“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,” Trump said.
Kai Trump in action on her debut(Image: Getty)
The president’s granddaughter noted that her nerves were more manageable during Friday’s round compared to Thursday, which positively influenced her performance.
“Yeah, for the first day I was definitely really nervous, I think the nerves just got to me,” Trump said. “When I went out there today I felt very calm and peaceful to be honest with you.
“And, yeah, that’s why I played better.”
