Kai Trump has named Tiger Woods as one of the biggest influences on her golf journey following her recent debut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Junior. It comes after she revealed her shared love with grandfather Donald for another sport.
The 18-year-old became the first relative of a sitting U.S. President to participate in an AJGA event this week when she lined up alongside some of the nation’s most promising young golfers at Bay Hill, in what is one of the most competitive junior golf tournaments in the country.
This year alone, Trump – who is set to represent the University of Miami in 2026 – has already featured in the 41st Nicklaus Junior Championship and the Sage Valley Junior Invitational, while she secured her biggest golfing achievement yet with a T3 finish on the Srixon Medalist Tour last month.
JUST IN: Hilarious golf mishap at Rory McIlroy’s home club goes viral
Unfortunately for Donald Trump’s granddaughter, she couldn’t follow it up with another impressive result at the APIJr, finishing 26th, second to last, with a score of 35 over par, but it was what she said afterwards that really caught the eye.
Speaking to the American Jr Golf Association in her post-tournament interview, the teenager was quizzed about her roots in the game and the biggest influences on her journey so far, where she namedropped a familiar face.
“I would say a lot of the pros, obviously, like looking up to them and watching them,” Trump began. “Obviously, Tiger [Woods], Rory [McIlroy]. Like watching those guys, especially at such a young age, and now I get to know them.
“It has been really cool, and that obviously kind of influenced me. But also, I’d say like my mom, I wouldn’t be playing golf without her.”
For any young aspiring golfer, Woods is always likely to be someone they look up to, and that’s no different for Trump. However, given the 49-year-old is now dating her mom, Vanessa, it holds even more significance.
Especially considering the golf icon could now be in a position to help mentor his new love interest’s daughter, alongside his own son, Charlie, who also continues to make waves in the junior age groups.
Following the death of his mother, Kultida, earlier this year, Woods was spotted breaking his cover alongside Trump as the duo turned up to the Genesis Invitational together.
The pair were seen wearing clothing from Woods’ Sun Day Red brand, with Trump sporting the company’s Luxe Lounge mid-weight quarter-zip pullover, which she paired with a white polo and black trousers.
Around the same time, the young golfer, whose willingness to walk alongside Woods suggested she approves of his relationship with her mom, had signed an endorsement deal with TaylorMade, which co-created Sun Day Red with Woods.
With Woods and Vanessa’s relationship said to be going from strength to strength, it can only be a good thing for Trump’s future in golf, providing her with excellent opportunity to seek advice and learn from arguably the greatest to ever do it.
.png)
