“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Miami. I want to thank my mom, Vanessa, and my dad, Don, for always supporting me through my journey,” Donald Trump’s granddaughter Kai had posted last month, making her decision official. Now, as she inches towards joining the Hurricanes in the 2026 signing class, the young golf prodigy is adding more accolades to her budding career.

Kai, a classmate of Charlie Woods at the Benjamin School, has played with Donald Trump previously during a LIV Golf pro-am. To date, she has not played any qualifying events to be ranked in the World Amateur Golf Ranking or in the American Junior Golf Association’s rankings. Thanks to her grandfather, Kai Trump, daughter of Donald Jr and his ex-wife Vanessa, has had easy access to games on several elite golf courses. Indeed, that is paying her well.

On September 5, Kai took to her official Instagram account and posted a story with her mother at the Breakers course, expressing her excitement about winning a high school golf tournament. She bagged a 2-under 33 finish and also shared the leaderboard of the front nine at the Breakers Ocean Course. Impressive it was!

Kai began the round with an even par on the first two holes, which was followed by a disappointing 338-yard bogey. However, she quickly picked up pace and bagged three birdies, to have an impressive finish at the course! In the post, she even tagged Donald Trump, whom she often thanks for her love of golf. And guess what? The Sr. Trump is also mindful of Kai’s progress in golf.

During an address at the Republican National Convention in July, Kai said about her grandpa: “He calls me during the middle of the school day to ask how my golf game is going and tells me all about his. But then I have to remind him that I’m in school and I’ll have to call him back later.”

The former POTUS is widely known as an avid golfer. Although his golfing skills have often been marred by accusations of cheating, he claims to have a single-digit handicap, even reaching as low as 2.5. However, he might see Kai surpassing his golfing skills in the days to come. And she has already shown flairs of that, apparently outswinging even Charlie Woods, at least in stats. How?

As the stats indicate, Kai may have a better handicap than Charlie! As per the USGA GHIN (Golf Handicap & Information Network), Kai Trump boasts a +0.5 handicap, which is extraordinary for a 17-year-old. In comparison, Charlie Woods, 15, has a handicap of +3, according to the PGA Tour. For the unversed, a handicap is the number of strikes a player may take either above or below on any specific course. Traditionally, a lower handicap is better. So exactly how good is Kai’s handicap?

Statistician Lou Stagner, one mind behind DECADE Golf, in a 2020 X post, had gone through Tiger Woods’ USGA handicap index history from 1996 to 2020. Woods’ average index for a quarter century is +6.7, and he maintained an index of +7.0 or above for more than a third of that time! There is more proof of Kai’s talent.

Despite her tender age, armed with a longest drive of 275 yards. Only 14 players on the LPGA average longer in 2023. Riding on her skills, she has already bagged some significant wins. The Women’s Club Championship at Palm Beach in March can be taken, for instance.

“Over the weekend I won the Women’s Club Championship @trumpgolfpalmbeach! Great competition from some impressive players. I shot even both days and won both matches.Very proud of my game and where it’s heading, but there is always room for improvement,” she wrote in a social media post after the win. Standing tall at 5ft 8ins, Kai boasts of being a part of Callaway Next, which touts itself as “the next generation of Callaway Tour Pros.” So when she faces her grandfather, who has the upper hand?

“Genuinely, he always gives me a run for my money. It’s pretty close. He wins a lot of the time. I do have to say that. I’ve got to get better,” Kai had said a few months back. However, Kai has already played with the likes of Trump fan and two-time major champion DeChambeau, Swedish professional Daniela Holmqvist, two-time world long-drive champion Kyle Berkshire, and others. And In fact, she has garnered some praise from the pros as well.

Bryson DeChambeau was impressed with Kai Trump

Last year, she was allowed to play with the LIV Golf star, and Donald Trump’s friend Bryson DeChambeau. And well, looks like she did indeed leave The Scientist was stunned with her swing.

Trump already has a great handicap and has given a tough fight to players like DeChambeau and Tiger Woods on the course. However, looks like his 17-year-old granddaughter has better gameplay. Bryson DeChambeau, impressed with her golf swing more than Sr. Trump, called it ‘pure’. Well, The Scientist is not the only pro left impressed by the young prodigy.

Even Kyle Berkshire complimented her golf skills and said, “Game is look great Kai.” Kai Trump has indeed come a long way. From trying to etch a name in the world of golf for herself, to becoming a captain of the Varsity Team, and now joining ‘Canes after taking the responsibility off her shoulders. The athlete sure has a promising future. What are your thoughts on the rising star? Let us know in the comments section!