Kai Trump, granddaughter of US President Donald Trump, endured a difficult start to her professional golf journey, finishing last in her LPGA Tour debut in The Annika. The 18-year-old shot a 13-over 83, placing her at the bottom of the 108-player field. Despite a promising junior career, Kai struggled to find rhythm on the challenging course, battling inconsistent ball striking and missed putts throughout the round.
Playing in breezy afternoon conditions, the high school senior opened with four straight bogeys and went on to card a birdie-free round that included nine bogeys and two double bogeys.
“I was definitely more nervous than I expected, but I thought I hit a lot of great shots out there,” Kai, the youngest player in the field, said as quoted by AP. “I hit a lot of good shots just to the wrong spots.”
Kai, a University of Miami recruit competing on a sponsor exemption, showed impressive power off the tee with an average drive of 242.0 yards. However, she reached only 7 of 18 greens in regulation and required 36 putts to complete her round at Pelican Golf Club.
Live Events”I felt like a little out of order in the beginning but I kind of got it going afterwards,” Kai said. “I learned a lot. It was amazing. I had a great time out there.
“Didn’t play the way I wanted obviously, but for my first event ever I think I played pretty good.”
Kai, who has become a prominent figure in Florida’s top junior golf events, teed it up just one day after the University of Miami announced her commitment to join the Hurricanes for the 2026–27 season, reported Reuters.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran set the pace at The Annika, hosted by LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam, shooting a six-under 64 to take the first-round lead. She finished one stroke ahead of Australia’s Grace Kim.
American Jennifer Kupcho sat two shots back, while world No. 6 Charley Hull was part of a group of four players another stroke behind.
