Why Kai Trump, 18, Was Granted An Lpga Sponsor's Exemption Into The Annika

Earlier this week, headlines regarding Kai Trump apt caused a fewer eyebrows to raise.

President Donald Trump's 18-year-old granddaughter received an LPGA sponsor’s exemption into nan ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge astatine Pelican Golf Club from Nov. 13 to 16.

The move, however, came pinch immoderate criticism. Although Trump, who is 461st successful nan American Junior Golf Association ranking, has committed to play assemblage play astatine nan University of Miami adjacent year, immoderate consciousness it’s a publicity stunt, taking a spot distant from personification who whitethorn beryllium much deserving. 

But there’s a circumstantial logic why Trump was granted a tee clip pinch nan world’s apical players.

“I would imagine, since nan Tuesday announcement, that this is 1 of nan astir talked-about women’s play tournaments that has astir apt ever existed,” Justin Sheehan, nan main operating serviceman of Pelican Golf Club successful Belleair, Fla., told Golf.com. “It’s connected news channels and sports channels. The numbers of social-media impressions, I conjecture they telephone it, are staggering. Love it aliases dislike it, it’s getting group to talk astir nan event.

“We’re connected a ngo to turn this game. Seeing nan effect (Fever guard) Caitlin (Clark) had past twelvemonth was reasonably eye-opening.”

In 2024, Clark teed it up successful nan ANNIKA's pro-am, and tourney big Annika Sorenstam, a World Golf Hall of Famer, admitted she had ne'er seen a crowd that large during an LPGA believe round. 

“It's conscionable awesome really it brings attraction to nan tournament,” nan 72-time LPGA champion said. 

A twelvemonth later, Clark will beryllium backmost astatine Pelican, and adding Trump to nan operation will only bring much eyeballs to nan event—especially pinch astir six cardinal societal media followers. 

Because of Trump’s notoriety, Mike McGee, who is Sorenstam’s husband, doesn’t understand nan backlash.  

“For anybody that says (Trump) doesn’t merit to beryllium there, I deliberation it’s crazy,” he said connected his and Sorenstam’s SiriusXM show this week. “The thought is to item women's golf, and she’s going to do it to a divers crowd of millions much group that would tune successful (who) different wouldn't tune in.”

Sorenstam didn’t widen nan induce to Trump; though, nan 55-year-old Swede is gladsome Trump is successful nan field, on pinch chap exemptions Anne-Sterre den Dunnen of Wake Forrest and Lauryn Nguyen—a erstwhile Northwestern University golfer making her pro debut. 

“I'm excited to person (Trump), too, and for illustration you (McGee) said, this is simply a sponsor’s invite,” Sorenstam said connected SiriusXM. “The sponsor gets to take who they want to prime that would adhd to nan tourney successful different ways.”

And nan LPGA backs nan decision. 

“Sponsor invitations are an important measurement to spotlight emerging talent and bring caller attraction to our tournaments and nan LPGA,” said Ricki Lasky, nan tour’s main circuit business and operations officer. “Kai’s wide pursuing and scope are helping present play to caller audiences, particularly among younger fans.”

Trump, meanwhile, hopes to make nan astir of her opportunity. 

“My dream has been to compete pinch nan champion successful nan world connected nan LPGA Tour,” she said successful a statement. “This arena will beryllium an unthinkable experience. I look guardant gathering and competing against truthful galore of my heroes and mentors successful play arsenic I make my LPGA Tour debut.”

One point is certain, though: each eyes will beryllium connected Trump astatine Pelican, seeing if she tin make nan cut.

More connected Sports Illustrated