The University of Miami's newest golfer is already making waves before even teeing off in her first college tournament. Kai Trump, the 19-year-old granddaughter of President Donald J. Trump, released her official Hurricanes golf team photos on Monday, and the internet took notice.
In one standout shot, Kai poses with the American flag draped over her shoulders, a bold statement that drew immediate attention. She captioned the post on Instagram: "Year 1 🫡 #gocanes." Within an hour, the photo had racked up over 20,000 likes, and the numbers kept climbing.
Kai, who committed to Miami two years ago, has been a standout junior golfer at The Benjamin School in South Florida. She's ranked in the top 500 of junior women's golf and plays to scratch, but her journey to the collegiate level hasn't been without its challenges.
Earlier this season, she competed in an LPGA Tour event at Pelican Golf Club, where she finished last after shooting 13-over in the first round and missing the cut. Despite the tough result, she took valuable lessons from the experience.
"I was definitely more nervous than I expected, but I thought I hit a lot of great shots out there," she said. "I hit a lot of good shots just to the wrong spots."
Facing the world's best players gave her a confidence boost. "It was pretty cool because I know I hit it far, but kind of playing with the best players in the world and being literally right there or even outdriving on some of the holes, it felt pretty good," she added. "Felt like my game is in a good spot, and especially only being a senior in high school."
Kai's transition to college golf comes at a time when the sport is gaining more attention, especially with the rise of social media stars like volleyball star Kayla Simmons and others who've gone viral for their athletic photos. Kai's own social media presence is already significant, and her latest post is just another example of how athletes are building their personal brands.
As she prepares for her freshman season, all eyes will be on the Hurricanes' newest recruit. Whether she's competing in college tournaments or sharing her journey online, Kai Trump is certainly one to watch.
