Kai Trump has been touted as a future star of the game and was invited to compete at the Junior Invitational in Sage Valley, but things did not go well for the 17-year-old
Jarrod Castillo Sports Reporter
21:59, 24 Mar 2025
Kai Trump finished last in a field of 24 golfers at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley(Image: Getty Images)
Kai Trump, granddaughter of United States President Donald Trump, had a challenging time at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley.
The 17-year-old golfer, often seen playing alongside her grandfather, was invited to compete with 24 of the world’s top young female golfers, showcasing her skills. However, her performance at the Junior Invitational left much to be desired as she struggled against the world’s best, including Tiger Woods’ son Charlie in the boys’ tournament.
She ended her final round 17-over, shooting 89 and finishing the tournament at 52-over, with rounds of 89-79-83-89, placing her last among the competitors. Notably, her score was nearly double that of the next closest competitor, indicating a tough time for the No. 151 ranked girls golfer in Florida.
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Her struggles at Sage Valley came just days after a difficult start to the tournament, where she dropped 17 shots on the final 13 holes in her first round. Furthermore, despite receiving praise from PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy, Trump failed to find any consistency in her game.
During a charity event aimed at supporting California wildfire victims, Rory McIlroy and Trump hit the links at Torrey Pines. The young golfer later shared a video on her YouTube channel, capturing a moment where she impresses with a shot from the rough to the green.
McIlroy complimented her skill. “Good shot, Kai,” he remarked. “You’re too good for this YouTube golf.” Trump playfully retorted: “Honestly, I think that’s what it is. I’m just too good.”
Kai Trump and Tiger Woods have been spending time together after the golf legend started dating her mother(Image: Getty Images)
With over 1 million subscribers in just months, Trump has become a notable figure in the YouTube golf community. Despite the fun, McIlroy has previously expressed his preference for traditional golf over YouTube content, emphasizing his love for watching professional golfers in actual tournaments.
“They found a niche and it’s really cool and it serves a purpose for a lot of people. But look, I would much rather sit down and watch real golfers play real tournaments and that’s just my opinion,” he said.
“That to me is more entertaining… But I understand that other people want something different and that’s totally fine as well. I think there’s space for all of this. Yeah, I can see when the golf consumer might get a little fatigued of everything that’s sort of available to them.”
Despite not achieving the desired outcome, Trump has a remarkable ally in Woods to help her recover. It was recently unveiled that Woods is dating Kai’s mother, Vanessa, in a shocking revelation that shook the golfing world, with their relationship allegedly beginning in late 2024.
Woods, father to Sam, 17, and Charlie, 16, reportedly received approval from his children for his relationship with Kai’s mother. “She likes the kids; they like her,” a source close to Woods revealed to The Daily Mail. “So there was really no reason for any drama with Elin (Nordegren, Woods’ ex-wife). It was more of a call so she didn’t learn about it in the news.”
