The promising youngsters put their skills to the test once more at the two-round tournament over the past few days, although things went slightly better for one than the other
Kai Trump learnt another harsh lesson at the 41st Nicklaus Junior Championship this week
Charlie Woods and Kai Trump once again caught the eye as they competed in the 41st edition of the Nicklaus Junior Championship this week, although it was the former who ended up by far the happier come the end of the two-round tournament.
The teenagers, bearing the weight of such huge names on their back, have emerged as two of the nation’s most promising golfers within their respective age categories, and put their skills to the test once more by teeing off in Florida over the past two days. It comes four months after the duo struggled at the Sage Valley Junior Invitational in March.
By the end of that tournament, Woods, son of 82-time PGA Tour winner Tiger Woods, finished 25th out of 36 players, while Trump, daughter of Vanessa and Donald Trump Jr., and granddaughter of President Donald Trump, finished last out of 24 in her draw. Despite their unconvincing performances, they still saw a notable boost in their American Junior Golf Association rankings.
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Since then, both have seen vast improvements in their performances. Woods, 16, won the Team TaylorMade Invitational in May, before securing his place in the U.S Junior Amateur Championship in July, while Trump, 18, finished in second-place at the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour Major Championship earlier this month.
On Tuesday, however, only one of them could continue their recent good run of form. By the time the Nicklaus Junior Championship wrapped up at the private Tequesta Country Club, located north of the pro golf enclave of Jupiter, it was Woods who emerged the happiest.
After finishing even-par for the tournament with a final round 69 (2-under), he placed sixth in a field of 122 boys golfers, finishing just four shots back of eventual winner Jeremy Hsu of Port St. Lucie, who won the tournament at 4-under.
Charlie Woods placed sixth in a field of 122 boys golfers at the 41st edition of the Nicklaus Junior Championship this week
Trump, meanwhile, finished tied for 21st out of 32 golfers, having struggled to a final round score of a 3-over 74, putting her 17-over for the tournament. That’s despite playing the front nine at 1-under – the best of any girls player in the final round.
Woods’ performance was just the latest example of his rapid rise up the ranks, having already risen from No. 606 to No. 14. following his first win on the junior golf circuit last month.
Like Trump, he remains in high school, although the president’s granddaughter has already committed to play golf at the University of Miami in 2030, having announced her decision last year.
It isn’t just their golf skills and famous family ties which have gained them plenty of attention in recent times, however. Earlier this year, Woods’ dad, Tiger, went public with his relationship with Trump’s mum, Vanessa.
Tiger Woods and Vanessa Trump went public with their relationship earlier this year(Image: instagram.com/tigerwoods)
The golf superstar took to social media in March, sharing snaps of the duo cozying up and chilling in a hammock, alongside the caption: “Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together. At this time we would appreciate privacy for all those close to our hearts.”
Vanessa echoed Tigers’ sentiments by reposting his message on her Instagram story, indicating a synchronized announcement. It was soon claimed that Tigers’ kids had given their nod of approval of his new love interest, as had President Trump.
Last month, it was revealed that the happy couple could even be moved in together by the end of the year due to things going so well, with Vanessa having “total access” to the golfer’s life.
