Teen golf influencer Kai Trump to play her first LPGA Tour event at The ANNIKA in Florida

Kai Trump, the granddaughter of US President Donald Trump, will make her LPGA Tour debut next month after receiving a sponsor’s exemption for The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, one of the most prestigious events on the women’s golf calendar.

The 18-year-old high school senior will tee it up alongside some of the sport’s top players when the tournament begins on November 10 at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. The event, broadcast live on Sky Sports, is the penultimate stop of the LPGA season and regularly attracts one of the strongest fields outside the majors.

Trump, the eldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr., is currently completing her final year at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach County and has already committed to play college golf at the University of Miami beginning in 2026.

“This event will be an incredible experience,” Trump said in a statement posted on social media. “My dream has been to compete with the best in the world on the LPGA Tour. I look forward to meeting and competing against so many of my heroes and mentors in golf as I make my LPGA debut.”

Trump competes nationally through the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and has taken part in several high-level junior events in Florida. She is currently ranked No 461 in the AJGA Girls standings and has played three tournaments this year.

Away from the course, she has built a large following on social media, with more than six million combined followers across platforms, and recently launched a lifestyle and apparel brand aimed at encouraging young women in sport.

The LPGA described Trump’s invitation as part of its broader effort to showcase emerging talent and expand the game’s reach to new audiences.

“Sponsor invitations are an important way to spotlight up-and-coming players and bring new attention to the LPGA,” said Ricki Lasky, the tour’s chief business and operations officer. “Kai’s broad following and reach are helping introduce golf to younger fans. We’re excited to see her take this next step in her journey.”

The event will feature many of the world’s leading players, including defending champion Nelly Korda, two-time major winner Lydia Ko, and England’s Charley Hull. Basketball star Caitlin Clark is also scheduled to appear in the tournament’s pro-am for the second consecutive year.

The ANNIKA, named after Swedish golf legend Annika Sörenstam, has quickly become one of the premier fixtures on the LPGA schedule since its debut in 2020. It often serves as a proving ground for young professionals and top amateurs alike.

Kai Trump’s participation marks another milestone in the growing intersection between social media influence and professional sport. With her high-profile family connections and burgeoning online presence, her appearance is expected to attract significant media and fan interest.

She was seen earlier this year alongside her grandfather at several major golf events, including the Ryder Cup in New York, where both were pictured at the first tee during the opening ceremony.

Trump’s inclusion also reflects the LPGA’s efforts to widen its appeal and connect with younger audiences through players who bridge both athletic and digital platforms.

Whether she makes the cut or not, her debut in Florida will offer a glimpse of a potential future star — and another example of how the sport continues to evolve in the age of celebrity and social media.

The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican will take place from November 10–16 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK.