Kai Trump’s turbulent LGPA debut ends in last place as controversy swirls around her invitation

Kai Trump stepped into the spotlight on Thursday with the kind of attention that could rattle even seasoned professionals. The granddaughter of the US president, and eldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr, arrived at The Annika with the weight of unprecedented scrutiny. By the time she walked off the final green, she had signed for a 13 over par 83 that left her at the very bottom of the leaderboard. Her shaky opening round served as a stark reminder of the gulf between elite junior competition and a field packed with the finest players in the women’s game.

Her much discussed sponsor’s exemption had already sparked fierce debate before she struck her opening shot. She began on the back nine in the company of former major champion Hinako Shibuno and Germany’s Olivia Cowan. Warm applause greeted her introduction on the tenth tee and her first tee shot found the fairway, a calm moment before the nerves tightened their grip. Within minutes she bogeyed her first four holes. Each missed putt and tentative approach added to the pressure as she struggled to settle.

Trump later admitted that she felt even more nervous than she had while speaking at the Republican National Convention. Her tension showed on the scorecard. A steady par at the fourteenth finally broke the early run of mistakes and she mixed two more bogeys with a pair of composed pars. A sharp recovery at the par three sixteenth drew one of the loudest cheers of the session and helped her complete her opening nine in 41.

Her mother Vanessa remained close by throughout the round and University of Miami assistant coach Jim Garren also followed inside the ropes. Their presence came one day after Miami confirmed that she intends to join the Hurricanes for the 2026 to 2027 college season. Golf Channel commentators described her gallery as the largest of the day, a mix of supporters, sceptics and curious onlookers who had followed the ongoing debate over her invitation.

The LPGA television coverage ended shortly after her first hole, a scheduling quirk that did nothing to dilute public interest. Crowds flocked to the ropes across nearly every fairway as she battled through a turbulent back nine. She dropped a shot immediately after the turn and then faced real difficulty with two double bogeys in four holes. Her seventeenth hole brought a moment of drama when she topped an iron, prompting a collective gasp. She responded with her purest strike of the day, knocking her next shot to four feet despite glaring sunlight. Two closing bogeys sealed an 83, the highest score recorded in the opening round.

Speaking afterwards, Trump said she felt nervous throughout the day but remained proud of her effort as the youngest player in the field. She insisted that the experience gave her a better understanding of the demands of the tour.

Her appearance has prompted heated debate across American golf. Some analysts called the week one of the most talked about events in recent LPGA memory, driven in part by the presence of WNBA star Caitlin Clark in the pro am. Others questioned if a player ranked 461st in the American Junior Golf Association deserved a late season exemption when many professionals are fighting for their careers.

Tournament host Annika Sorenstam defended the decision, urging critics to show patience. Pelican Golf Club owner Dan Doyle said Trump’s inclusion had triggered a significant surge in interest, particularly on social media where she has more than nine million followers.

Trump has framed the week as a chance to learn and improve. She has openly acknowledged the weaknesses in her short game and her putting while Pelican officials praised her distance and ball striking. She also drew support from her grandfather, who advised her to enjoy the moment, and Tiger Woods, who encouraged her to stay calm and recover from mistakes.

While Kai Trump fought to keep pace, South Korea’s Ryu Hae ran led the field with a six under 64, followed closely by Australia’s Grace Kim and a chasing pack that included Charley Hull. Their scores underscored the relentless standard of an event that annually attracts some of the strongest competitors in the women’s game.