How Tiger Woods Advised Kai Trump Before Her LPGA Debut

There are zero expectations for Kai Trump this week.

The 18-year-old granddaughter of President Donald Trump received a sponsor invitation to Annikathe penultimate event of the 2025 LPGA season and her pro tour debut has already achieved its goal pulling the eyeballs to Pelikani Golf Club on the west coast of Florida. Trump is committed to the University of Miami and aspires to play on the LPGA Tour. But she is not ranked in the top 3000 of the world amateur golf rankings and is 461st in the Rolex AJGA rankings.

Simply put, this week will be a massive step for Trump. And while she won’t tie Thursday with plans to face Nelly Korda, Lexi Thompson and others over the weekend, she will make her LPGA debut armed with advice from Tiger Woods, who is related to Kai’s mother, Vanessa Trump.

The 15-time major champion has said many times that he never enters a tournament he doesn’t believe he can win, but he had a different message for Kai.

“He’s the best golfer in the whole world,” Kai said of Woods on Tuesday at her press conference. “I would say that. And an even better person. He told me to go out there and have fun and go with the flow. Whatever happens, happens.”

Trump could also pick the brain of LPGA legend and tournament host Annika Sorenstam during a practice round. As Trump and the 10-time major champion made their way around the Pelican, Trump received instruction on her short game and Sorenstam discussed with Trump how she should approach the week.

“I don’t think anybody here is thinking that she’s going to be the one holding the trophy on Sunday,” Sorenstam said. “It’s about opportunities and memories and lessons learned. I talked to her a little bit yesterday. You know, just make the most of this week. There’s going to be lessons learned. Take them into the future and learn. That’s how we grow. I mean, she’s 18 years old, right? I mean, there’s so many lessons that she’s going to learn in her lifetime and today is the least — this week is going to be the least.

“Hopefully it will inspire her even more to work on her game and get better and start setting some goals. But as far as success for her, I mean, I can’t speak for her. Just come out here and absorb yourself, meet the players, enjoy the atmosphere and the course and just maybe make new friends; you know, make memories with your family. And then you’re going to go out and do whatever she’s going to do.” he did his best.”

Trump’s invitation is controversial, given her skill level and, of course, her last name. But sponsor invitations are all about creating buzz and excitement, and grabbing eyeballs. Think Tony Romo at the Byron Nelson or tennis pro Mardy Fish at the 3M Open.

To that end, Trump’s involvement has already been a success. There has been more coverage of Annika this week than any non-major LPGA tournament this season. One could make a good argument that this week’s buzz is bigger than any tournament this season, with the possible exception of the US Women’s Open at Erin Hills.

All that’s left is for Kai Trump to put a tee on the ground Thursday and enjoy an unexpected opportunity by following the advice of Woods and Sorenstam.

“I think I’m going to learn a lot no matter what happens. I’m just going to go out there and have fun and see how it goes,” Trump said. “I’m going to take a lot away from it. Obviously, competing against the best players is going to be cool. Being inside the ropes with them, playing with them, learning what kind of shots they hit, what they do on the court.”

Sorenstam hopes everyone who watches Kai Trump play will do so with an open mind and the grace he wanted to receive when he played Colonial on the PGA Tour as a sponsor’s invitation in 2003.

“Going out there and playing a big course and an environment like this, I’m sure she’s used to a lot of people watching and analyzing everything,” Sorenstam said. “… I just don’t know how she does it, honestly. To be 18 and hear all the comments, she has to be super tough inside. I’m sure we can all relate to what it’s like to get criticism here and there, but she gets it a thousand times over.

“That’s why I just want to give her a break, come out here and have fun. We want her to feel like family here, and I want her to feel welcome. I mean, give this girl a chance, right?”