Two unranked names on the LPGA Tour are getting special attention at this week’s Annika match at Pelican Golf Club in Bellaire, Florida. WNBA star Caitlin Clark competed against Nelly Korda in Wednesday’s pro-am, and 18-year-old Kai Trump, the granddaughter of President Donald Trump, was given a sponsor exemption to play in the tournament this week.
Before playing in her first professional tournament, Trump followed through on her commitment to join the Hurricanes next year and officially enrolled in a women’s golf sign language class at the University of Miami.
“I love the coaches. It’s close to home. It’s a great school,” Trump said at a news conference Tuesday. “I love the people there. My cousin went there, so I know the guys who went there. You know, it’s a great university, so I’m looking forward to playing for them.”
As for Miami, the Hurricanes are preparing for the added attention that the president’s granddaughter will receive playing for the team, especially considering Kai Trump’s massive following on social media.
“We think any potential exposure is good for golf in Miami,” Hurricanes coach Janice Olivencia told The Associated Press. “Our current team is a very mature and intelligent group of women, so we expect that we will be able to handle all the attention with great calm and enthusiasm.”
Trump has competed in three AJGA events this season and is currently ranked No. 461 in the United States Junior Golf Association rankings. Ahead of his debut at an LPGA Tour event, Trump received some sage advice from Tiger Woods, who is dating his mother, Vanessa Trump.
“I mean, he’s the best golfer in the whole world, I would say that. And an even better human being,” President Trump said Tuesday. “He told me to go out and have fun and go with the flow. Whatever happens, happens.”
