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Kai Trump’s LPGA debut didn’t go exactly as she had planned.
The 18-year-old high school senior shot an 83 in the first round at The ANNIKA at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla., putting her in last place out of 108 players on one round. The next day, she bounced back with a score of five out of 75, but it wasn’t enough to qualify.
It was an invaluable experience for Trump, who will play college golf at the University of Miami next year.
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Kai Trump tees off on the 18th hole during the second round of the ANNIKA golf tournament at Pelican Golf Club. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
Bryson DeChambeau, who shared a hug with the president’s granddaughter at the Ryder Cup, was impressed with Trump’s performance.
“She shot five points in the second round, which is really, really impressive. We didn’t know how she was going to do, she performed really well and what a great opportunity,” DeChambeau told PK Press Club Digital in a recent interview.
“I was talking to [tournament host] Annika [Sorenstam]. She’s on the Sports, Fitness and Nutrition Board, and we were just talking about how, you know, “What do you think?” » We were both talking, and it’s a great opportunity. She says: “There are many others who received invitations that didn’t work out well, but it was a great experience for them. And I think it’s going to be a great experience for her.
Amateur Kai Trump of the United States plays her shot from the 16th tee during the first round of the ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2025 at Pelican Golf Club on November 13, 2025 in Belleair, Florida. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
MIAMI GOLF COACH PRAISES KAI TRUMP’S POSE, POTENTIAL AS SHE MAKES LPGA DEBUT
“It was great to see her go out there and compete doing what she loves to do, and she’s getting better,” DeChambeau added. “We’ll see what the story has in store for her, but she’s a grinder and a competitor, and it’s fun to see her compete against some of the best in the world, even though there’s a long way to go, but she’s a grinder. You never know.”
After completing her second round, Trump said she felt more “peaceful” compared to the first, which led to improvement.
Kai Trump tees off during the final round of the Medalist Tour tournament at Lost City Golf Club on July 17, 2025 in Atlantis, Florida. (Greg Lovett/Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network via IMAGN Images)
“The first day I was really, really nervous. I think the nervousness got to me,” she said. “When I went out there today, I felt very calm and peaceful, to be honest with you. That’s why I played better. I did everything I could have done for this tournament. So, I think if you prepare well, the nerves can… they’ll always be there, right? They can be softened a little bit. So, I would just say that.”
Trump officially committed to the Hurricanes earlier this month.
