Kai Trump at The Annika: LIVE Round 1 Updates as Donald Trump's granddaughter makes LPGA debut

Kai Trump finished bottom of the leaderboard as expected during the first round of The Annika.

Kai Trump, the eldest granddaughter of United States President Donald Trump, endured an expected tough opening round on her LPGA debut at The Annika.

The 18-year-old American, who received a sponsor's exemption to compete in The Annika at Pelican Golf Club in Florida, was playing alongside Japan's Hinako Shibuno and Germany's Olivia Cowan.

Kai was invited into the penultimate event of the LPGA season by tournament host Annika Sorenstam, who is a big fan of Kai and her grandfather Trump, the President of the United States.

With more than 6 million followers on social media, Kai expectedly took the biggest galleries with her around Pelican Golf Club in Florida on Thursday.

Amateur Kai is unfortunately bottom of the pile on 13-over par in solo 108th place after the first 18 holes.

Despite the tough start, Kai admitted the experience was priceless and she was more than happy with her efforts.

"Yeah, I was definitely more nervous than I expected, but I thought I hit a lot of great shots out there," Kai told reporters after the round.

"I hit a lot of good shots just to the wrong spots.

"Obviously being my first LPGA event, now I kind of know how it goes. I felt like a little out of order in the beginning but I kind of got it going afterwards.

"I learned a lot. It was amazing. I had a great time out there. Yeah, didn't play the way I wanted obviously, but for my first event ever I think I played pretty good."

Kai had only played in three amateur events this season and she is ranked 461st in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) rankings.

Prior to competing in The Annika, Kai asked Tiger Woods, who is in a relationship with her mother Vanessa, for advice.

She also has a familiar face as her caddie this week.

Kai plays off a handicap of +0.5, which is incredible for a club golfer but a far cry from the pros or even elite amateurs.

She has now signed up to join Miami women's golf team for 2026.

Watch Kai's press conference ahead of The Annika here:

Sponsor invite Kai Trump speaks with the media ahead of the 2025 ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican https://t.co/8wgrPnJQEl
— LPGA (@LPGA) November 11, 2025

Scroll below to check out how Kai fared in the first round of The Annika.

South Korea's Haeran Ryu hit the front early at The Annika with a brilliant round of 6-under 64.

She leads by one over Australia's Grace Kim.

Nelly Korda, who has won The Annika three of the last four years, carded a lacklustre 1-over 71.

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What do you make of Kai receiving a sponsor's exemption?

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Andy Roberts

13 Nov 2025

23:59

Kai reacts to her 83

"Yeah, I was definitely more nervous than I expected, but I thought I hit a lot of great shots out there," Kai told reporters after the round.

"I hit a lot of good shots just to the wrong spots.

"Obviously being my first LPGA event, now I kind of know how it goes. I felt like a little out of order in the beginning but I kind of got it going afterwards.

"I learned a lot. It was amazing. I had a great time out there. Yeah, didn't play the way I wanted obviously, but for my first event ever I think I played pretty good."

22:33

Kai's R1 scorecard

22:29

Kai shoots 83

Trump +13 (83)

Kai makes par on 8 - impressively after topping her approach shot - and a bogey on 9 to card a 13-over 83.

A fair effort given this was the 18-year-old's first ever round on the LPGA.

After a topped shot on the 8th, Trump stuffed it to 4 feet staring into the sun. Fighting for a good finish. pic.twitter.com/hfH3uiW6lX
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) November 13, 2025

22:02

Bogey at 7

Trump +12 (16*)

Kai fails to get up and down for par on the par-5 7th.

An eighth bogey of the round goes down on the card.

Trump to 12-over par.

21:52

Kai's popularity clear to see

Kai might be an amateur but she's easily attracted the biggest crowds of the day at Pelican GC.

It's been a tough round but she's battled well - and she's still got a smile on her face, which is exactly what Tiger Woods wanted to see.

21:43

Par at 6

Trump +11 (15*)

Kai makes her sixth par of the round and third in the last four holes.

She's hit 7/12 fairways and 7/12 greens.

Kai's average driving distance is 242 yards.

She's had 30 putts thru 15 holes.