WEST PALM BEACH, FL - Kai trump, daughter of former President Donald Trump, improved her score by eight strokes from Thursday to Friday but ultimately missed the cut at the LPGA‘s annika Foundation Invitational at Pelican Golf Club. Trump finished with a two-day total of 16-over par.
The 18-year-old, who received a sponsor’s exemption to compete in the event, carded an 83 on Friday after opening with a 91 on Thursday.Despite the improvement, she finished well outside the cut line.
“I hit a pretty good shot on 12, nearly made a hole-in-one,” Trump said after her round. “I hit like a tight little draw into it… it was a great shot.” She also noted satisfaction with her approach on the 18th, repeating a positive outcome from Thursday’s play.
Trump acknowledged a arduous start to the tournament but expressed a determined mindset. ”We got that out of the way, so let’s just move on,” she said, quoting a conversation with her caddie, Allan Kournikova. “it is what it is.”
The inclusion of Trump in the field drew both attention and criticism, with many observers pointing to her family’s prominence as the primary reason for the invitation. Dan Doyle Jr., owner of Pelican Golf Club, confirmed the decision was largely driven by public relations. “The idea of the exemption… is to bring attention to an event,” Doyle said. ”She’s brought a lot of viewers through Instagram, and things like that, who normally don’t watch women’s golf.”
Currently ranked No. 461 by the American Junior Golf Assn.,Trump is a student at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach and will attend the University of Miami next year.
Tournament host Annika Sorenstam,who herself faced scrutiny for receiving an exemption to compete in the 2003 Bank of America Colonial,expressed admiration for trump’s ability to navigate the intense spotlight. “I just don’t know how she dose it, honestly,” Sorenstam said. “To be 18 years old and hear all the comments, she must be super tough on the inside.”
