The LPGA Tour is adding some presidential flair. Kai Trump, the president’s 18-year-old granddaughter, will make her professional debut on the tour in The Annika event at Pelican Golf Club in Florida next month.
Ms. Trump, who has more than 6 million followers across four social media platforms and has committed to play collegiate golf at the University of Miami, received a sponsor invitation to the event.
“Sponsor invitations are an important way to spotlight emerging talent and bring new attention to our tournaments and the LPGA,” Ricki Lasky, the LPGA’s operations officer, said in a statement. “Kai’s broad following and reach are helping introduce golf to new audiences, especially among younger fans.”
Ms. Trump is the eldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr. The high school senior has competed in amateur events through the American Junior Golf Association. She finished tied for third on the Srixon Medalist Tour on the South Florida PGA in July. She is currently ranked No. 461 in the AJGA Girls ranking.
“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 in November,” Ms. Trump said. “This event will be an incredible experience. I look forward to meeting and competing against so many of my heroes and mentors in golf as I make my LPGA Tour debut.”
In addition to her golf activities, Ms. Trump founded a self-titled apparel and lifestyle brand aimed at empowering young women in sports. She is one of three sponsor invitees at The Annika, joining Northwestern’s Lauren Nguyen and Wake Forest’s Anne-Sterre den Dunnen. WNBA star Caitlin Clark will return to play in the event’s pro-am for the second straight year. Nelly Korda is the defending champion.
The event begins on Nov. 10 and runs through Nov. 16.
This article is based in part on wire service reports.
