Kai Trump will provide “guest commentary” for the upcoming Golf Channel Games as the made-for-TV competition aims to maximise her influence.
The aspiring golfer recently made her LPGA Tour debut at The Annika in Florida as one of three sponsors’ exemptions into the $3.25 million event, and despite finishing dead last, she offered a good account of herself considering the circumstances.
Since then, Trump has gone on to accept an offer to compete in a $10 million golf tournament organised by media mogul Dave Portnoy, and has now rounded off an impressive few weeks by landing an opportunity on an upcoming broadcast.
According to Sports Business Journal’s Josh Carpenter, the 18-year-old will provide “guest commentary” for the Golf Channel Games, which is due to air in primetime on Wednesday, December 17, on Golf Channel and USA Network.
The “one-of-a-kind golf skills competition” is set to feature some of the world’s best players split across two teams, which will be captained by none other than the current top two in Rory McIlroy (No. 2) and Scottie Scheffler (No. 1).
Golf Channel announced last month that players will go head-to-head in a number of challenges that are both time-based and strategy-focused, while McIlroy and Scheffler will also face off 1-on-1 in the “Captains Challenge,” in which they’ll each hit from predetermined locations.
The exciting competition, which bears striking similarities to McIlroy’s other venture, TGL, which he created alongside Tiger Woods, will take place at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida, perhaps explaining why the decision to include the U.S. President’s granddaughter was made.
Nonetheless, it provides an exciting opportunity for Trump to gain further understanding and experience in the professional world, while Golf Channel hopes to maximise its online popularity with her involvement.
The social media sensation, who has already committed to playing golf for the University of Miami next year, currently boasts over 6 million followers across Instagram and TikTok, providing ample opportunity to highlight the Golf Channel Games in a way few others could.
Also named as part of the Golf Channel Games coverage are usual staples Steve Sands, Smylie Kaufman, Brad Faxon, and Johnson Wagner, who will comprise the on-course broadcast team, while active PGA Tour player Keith Mitchell will contribute analysis.
Trump will be providing ‘guest commentary’ when Rory McIlroy takes to the stage at the Golf Channel Games later this month
Furthermore, pre- and post-show analysis is set to be provided by Anna Jackson and Johnson Wagner, meaning Trump will find herself surrounded by a number of high-profile stars for her commentary debut.
It could perhaps provide her with more confidence moving forward with her own golf career, having opened up on the “scary” reality of competing at golf’s top tier following her LPGA debut last month.
Trump was candid about how nerves affected her disastrous first-round performance, as she ended the day in last place with a 13-over 83. However, she did manage to improve her game by shooting a much more respectable 75 in the second round, and took plenty of positives from the experience.
