Who is Kai Trump? What to know about the president's granddaughter amid her LPGA debut

PresidentDonald Trump's oldest granddaughterKai Trumpis making her LPGA debut on Nov. 13.

Shereceived a sponsor invite to The Annikadriven by Gainbridge at Pelican Golf Club near Tampa, Florida. She's a solid high school player, who this summer struggled in a national junior event. But she's had varying degrees of success in local events and is in the field because of her last name and celebrity.

She said she received the same advice from three major golfers: the president of the United States,Tiger Woodsand Annika Sorenstam (arguably the greatest women's golfer of all time):

"Have fun," she said they told her.

Here is what to know about the rising golf star and influencer.

University of Miami commit Kai Trump plays her tee shot on the 10th hole during The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican on Nov. 13, 2025, at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.

Amateur Kai Trump plays her shot from the 16th tee during the first round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2025 at Pelican Golf Club on Nov. 13, 2025 in Belleair, Florida.

University of Miami commit Kai Trump on right shakes hands with LPGA golfer Hinako Shibuno on the 10th tee during The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican on Nov. 13, 2025, at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.

University of Miami commit Kai Trump's name on the score sign right after she hit her tee shot on the 10th hole during The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican on Nov. 13, 2025, at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.

University of Miami commit Kai Trump on right shakes hands with LPGA golfer Olivia Cowan on the 10th tee during The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican on Nov. 13, 2025, at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.

University of Miami commit Kai Trump walks the 10th hole during The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican on Nov. 13, 2025, at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.

Amateur Kai Trump of the United States lines up her putt on the 15th green during the first round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2025 at Pelican Golf Club on Nov. 13, 2025 in Belleair, Florida.

Amateur Kai Trump of the United States plays her shot from the 16th tee during the first round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2025 at Pelican Golf Club on Nov. 13, 2025 in Belleair, Florida.

Kai Trump makes her LGPA debut after signing with the University of Miami

More:Kai Trump gets advice from Donald Trump, Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam on playing The Annika

Who is Kai Trump?

Kai Trump, 18, isPresident Trump's eldest granddaughter, the daughter ofDonald Trump Jr.and hisex-wife Vanessa Trump.

Kai Trump made her political debut at theRepublican National Conventionahead of the 2024 election, talking up the human side to her grandfather, who she said calls her to check in on her golf game.

She is a senior at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and has committed to playing golf at the University of Miami after graduating.

Who are Kai Trump's parents?

Donald Trump Jr.andVanessa Trumpare Kai's parents.

Donald Trump Jr. is the oldest son ofDonald Trumpand the lateIvana Trump.

How does Kai Trump know Tiger Woods?

Kai Trump's mother, Vanessa Trump, is now dating golf legend Tiger Woods, and Trump Jr. is dating socialite Bettina Anderson.

Trump Jr. was formerly engaged toKimberly Guilfoyle, the ex-wife of California Gov.Gavin Newsom. Guilfoyle is now the ambassador to Greece for the Trump administration.

Kai Trump shares a love of golf with her grandfather, Donald Trump

In February 2025, Kai Trumpbecame the highest-valued player in girls' high school golf, after announcing her first lucrative endorsement deal with big-name golf equipment company TaylorMade.

"Golf has always been a massive part of my life and is my biggest passion. I always aspire to be a leader and a positive figure on and off the golf course," Kai Trump's SportsRecruits biography says.

In August 2024, she announced her commitment to stay in Florida for college andplay golf at the University of Miamiafter she graduates from the Benjamin School in Palm Beach County, Florida, in 2026.

She recentlyaccompanied the presidentto New York for the Ryder Cup golf tournament.

"He's pretty good," Kai said at The Annika tournament about her grandfather, who claims tohave won 38 club championships.

When asked if she has ever beaten him, she hesitated.

"I'll leave that up to you to decide," she said. "I don't know. We play a lot. We have a great time out there."

What is Kai Trump's golf ranking?

Kai Trump is known more now as a golf influencer with nearly 8 million followers across three platforms. But she hopes to flip that narrative from golf influencer to golfer.

At No. 461 in the American Junior Golf Association rankings — she was an All-County selection for Benjamin last fall and finished her junior season as the No. 151-ranked girls golfer in Florida — she has a long way to go.

In March, she shot 89-79-83-89 and finished in last place in a field of 24 golfers at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in South Carolina.

But privilege, opportunity and access to the greatest names in the sport can go a long way.

"I'm going to learn a lot no matter what happens," said Trump, who recently signed a letter of intent with the University of Miami. "I'm going to take a lot away from it. To be inside the ropes with them playing with (the best players), learning what kind of shots they hit, what do they do on the course."

Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at KCrowley@usatodayco.com. Follow her onX (Twitter),BlueskyandTikTok.

Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her onTwitteror Instagram at@byjensangalang. Support local journalism.Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Who is Kai Trump? How does she know Tiger Woods? About her LPGA debut