Kai Trump Steps into the Spotlight at The ANNIKA LPGA Event

Eighteen-year-old Kai Trump will step onto one of the biggest stages in women’s golf next week, making her LPGA debut at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, Nov. 13–16 in Belleair, Florida. The eldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and his former wife, Vanessa, will be one of three amateurs in the 108-player field — and easily one of the most talked-about.

A Sponsor Exemption with Spotlight Power

Trump received a sponsor exemption from Pelican Golf Club, joining Northwestern All-American Lauryn Nguyen (Gainbridge invite) and Wake Forest senior Anne-Sterre den Dunnen, who earned her spot via Annika Sörenstam’s host exemption. With 15 of the world’s top 25 in the field — including three-time winner Nelly Korda — it’s a high-profile debut for the Florida teen.

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols framed the moment this way:

“Between the presence of Caitlin Clark in the pro-am and President Donald Trump’s granddaughter in the 108-player field, this might become one of the most talked-about LPGA events in the tour’s 75-year history. … There’s no way around it: The LPGA stage is a gargantuan leap for Trump.”

— Beth Ann Nichols, Golfweek

Trump is expected to meet with media Tuesday, play in Wednesday’s pro-am, and begin competition Thursday.

Signing Day for Miami

Just one week before her LPGA debut, Trump officially signed her National Letter of Intent with the University of Miami, joining the Hurricanes beginning fall 2026. She will miss her high school team’s pursuit of the Florida Class 1A state championship to compete at The ANNIKA. Miami is currently ranked 68th nationally and closed the fall with a team win at the White Sands Invitational in the Bahamas.

Modest Junior Résumé, Major Platform

On paper, Trump’s junior record is limited. Her Rolex AJGA ranking is 461, and her scoring average in three AJGA events this year is 83.6. At the elite Junior Invitational at Sage Valley, she finished last with rounds of 89–79–83–89. She has not competed in a USGA championship and is not listed in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Her social media reach is substantial: 2.5 million followers on Instagram and nearly 4.5 million more across TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) — a following that rivals or surpasses many LPGA stars. As Nichols also noted in Golfweek, sponsor invites often serve exposure and growth; in this case, the publicity value is undeniable.

What to Watch at Pelican

The ANNIKA will air on Golf Channel and digital platforms throughout the week. Trump’s debut will be watched closely — less for immediate contention and more for how she manages the step up to a professional arena. Whether she converts the experience into momentum ahead of her Miami career remains to be seen, but her appearance ensures outsized attention on one of the LPGA’s most discussed events of 2025.

How to Watch

The event runs Wednesday through Sunday (Nov. 13–16) with televised coverage on Golf Channel and digital platforms:

• Wednesday, Nov. 12: Pro-am coverage 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (Golf Channel)
• Thursday, Nov. 13: 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (Golf Channel)
• Friday, Nov. 14: 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (Golf Channel / *Digital)
• Saturday, Nov. 15: 1:30–2:30 p.m. (*Digital); 2:30–4:30 p.m. (Golf Channel)
• Sunday, Nov. 16: 1:00–2:00 p.m. (*Digital); 2:00–4:00 p.m. (Golf Channel)

*Digital information: All the news and tournament action surrounding the The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican can be accessed at any time on any mobile device and online through the help of golfchannel.com, NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app.