Kai Trump Improves Yet Misses Cut in LPGA Debut
Kai Trump, the granddaughter of former US President Donald Trump, made her LPGA debut at the Annika tournament in Florida. She completed the event with a five-over 75, which placed her at an overall total of 18 over par, resulting in a missed cut. The 18-year-old amateur finished last out of 108 players after the second round.
Kai Trump’s Performance in Her LPGA Debut
Competing with a sponsor exemption at the Pelican Golf Club, Trump showed significant improvement from her opening round score of 83. On the second day, she managed to perform better, making birdies on the:
- 3rd hole
- 7th hole
- 11th hole
- 12th hole
She nearly achieved her first hole-in-one with a striking eight-iron shot from 140 yards.
Nerves and Experience
Reflecting on her first day, Trump expressed that nerves affected her performance. However, she felt calmer on the second day, which contributed to her improved score. Despite facing challenges, including a triple-bogey on the par-four fifth hole, she maintained a positive outlook.
“Things are going to happen. Once it happens you can’t go back in time and fix it,” Trump shared. “It was pretty easy to move on after that.”
Future Commitments and Rankings
Looking ahead, Trump has confirmed her commitment to play for the University of Miami next year. Although currently ranked 461 in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), she managed to average 241 yards off the tee and hit 11 out of 14 fairways during the tournament.
Charley Hull, an experienced player who participated in the event, commended Trump’s performance, stating, “That’s really good, considering this is not just an easy LPGA event.”
Tournament Highlights
The Annika tournament also saw other notable performances. As of the latest round:
- Charley Hull is at five under par.
- Linn Grant and Grace Kim are the joint leaders.
- Nelly Korda, ranked second in the world, is tied for sixth at six under par.
Trump’s participation in this challenging event marks an important step in her golf career, as she aspires to develop her skills further on the LPGA tour.
