In LPGA Debut, Kai Trump's Desire to Learn Stands as Her 'Ace in the Hole' 

By Doug Milne

 

BELLEAIR, Fla. - Leading up to The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican’s first tournament week press conference Tuesday at 2 p.m., there was more than just frigid temperatures swirling in the Central Florida air at the Pelican Golf Club.

 

There were also questions flying around.

 

With the entire world tuned in, 17-year-old Kai Trump entered the press conference room to a full house. Not only is the 17-year-old officially committed to compete for the University of Miami’s golf team beginning next fall, but the high school senior is making her LPGA debut this week, as well, courtesy of a sponsor exemption.

 

Kai also happens to be the granddaughter of sitting American President, Donald Trump. 

 

“It's an honor, (being here)” she said. “I would like to thank the LPGA and the Doyle family for the opportunity. I'm looking forward to it. It's really cool to say that I'm playing my first LPGA event and I'm only a senior in high school.”

 

A student at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Fla., Trump is currently competing in junior and amateur tournaments on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and the Srixon Medalist Tour on the South Florida PGA.

 

While her game is progressing in impressive fashion, it’s typically her last name which turns heads and adds that element of star power. This week, though, Trump is the star-struck fan. That was evident when getting into the swing of things with the tournament namesake Annika Sorenstam for the first time. 

 

“It was really cool meeting her” Trump said. “She's a legend, so nice to play nine holes with her. I asked her about her swing and what I should do differently. I asked her questions around the greens, too, because it’s tough around these greens and you can hit different shots into them. I asked for her opinion on some of those shots.”

 

“She told me she has to work a little bit on her putting and short game, and she realizes it, especially around these greens. It's quite the test,” Sorenstam said. “As far as distance, I don't think that's going to be an issue. Obviously, this is a big scene for her, big environment and big golf course. For her, just kind of getting used to that is going to take time. There is no doubt, though, that she has a passion for the sport.”

 

Though she has no high expectations for the lowest scores this week, more importantly, Trump is poised to take advantage of the opportunity at hand.

 

“I'm going to learn a lot no matter what happens,” she said. “I'm just going to go out there and have fun. Competing with the best players is going to be cool…inside the ropes playing with them, learning what kind of shots they hit and what they do on the course. I’m just looking forward to playing with the best.”

 

She is only 17 years old and poised to make just her first LPGA start, however Trump is hardly a newcomer to the game.

 

“I started playing golf when I was two years old,” she said. “My mom brought us to the course every single weekend in the summer. I think what I loved most about golf is that it's challenging. You're never going to be 100% and there is always something to work on. I think that keeps on bringing me back.”

 

While getting first-hand advice from World Golf Hall of Fame member Annika Sorenstam is certainly a significant feather in any cap, it wasn’t the only piece of advice Trump received headed into the week from someone who plays the game well.

 

“I would say that Tiger Woods is the best golfer in the entire world, and he’s an even better person,” Trump said. “He told me to go out there and have fun and just go with the flow. Whatever happens, happens, he said.”

 

In spite of the support received from Woods and Sorenstam, Trump brings no illusions into the week that her game’s in ideal shape. While there is confidence, she is attentive to the fact that there’s a lot of room for growth.

 

“My strengths are definitely ball striking. I'm a great ball striker,” Trump said. “I need to hit it better around the greens, though. You need good hands around the greens. That's a weakness of mine, and I've been practicing a lot with that.”

 

That prospect of getting better and making a bigger impact in and around the game of golf is precisely what keeps the mild-mannered teenager from giving up. The truth is, she’s just getting started.

 

“I would say that, at times, golf is tough,” Trump said. “But, you’ve just got to keep on working hard. Eventually, you'll get there.”

 

With an objective to grow the game of golf to younger and more diverse audiences, Trump has more than 8 million followers on social media. In addition, she recently founded her own lifestyle and apparel brand aimed at empowering young women in sports.

 

A large key to successfully empowering a person is by way of encouragement and confidence. Similar to her actual game, Trump’s mental game is coming along nicely, too.

 

“My dream has been to compete with the best in the world on the LPGA Tour, and I am thrilled to be able to compete at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican,” said Trump. “This event will be an incredible experience. I look forward meeting and competing against so many of my heroes and mentors in golf as I make my LPGA Tour debut.”