The high-profile names of Charlie Woods and Kai Trump carried big expectations into the prestigious Junior Invitational at Sage Valley. But as the first round wrapped up, it was clear that the weight of their famous last names wouldn’t be enough to lift them up the leaderboard.
A Round to Forget
Charlie Woods, the 16-year-old son of golf legend Tiger Woods, posted a disappointing 6-over 78 in the first round, leaving him tied for 32nd in a field of 36 boys. While he showed flashes of promise with two birdies, his scorecard was marred by six bogeys and a costly double bogey.
Kai Trump, granddaughter of former President Donald Trump, fared even worse. The 18-year-old posted a staggering 17-over 89, landing her in dead last among the 24 girls competing. Despite a lone birdie, her round unraveled with seven bogeys, two double bogeys, a triple bogey, and a brutal quadruple bogey.
“This wasn’t what I had in mind coming in,” Kai admitted in a brief post-round interview. “I know I can play better, but it just got away from me today.”
Pressure of the Spotlight
For years, Charlie Woods has been under intense scrutiny, with many speculating whether he will follow in his father’s footsteps. His occasional flashes of brilliance—like leading The Benjamin School to a state championship in 2023—keep the golf world intrigued. But, as this tournament has shown, the road to professional golf is long and unpredictable.
Kai Trump, though lesser known in golf circles, has also drawn attention. As a committed player for the University of Miami next season, she has been working to prove herself outside of her grandfather’s political shadow. Ranked 151st among junior players in Florida, she faces an uphill battle in a sport where pedigree alone isn’t enough.
The Tiger-Trump Connection
Adding intrigue to their presence at the tournament is the rumored romance between Tiger Woods and Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Their connection has fueled speculation, drawing even more media attention to the young golfers.
“That’s not something I focus on,” Charlie said when asked about the family ties. “I just try to play my game.”
The Leaders and the Road Ahead
While Woods and Trump struggled, the leaderboard painted a different story. New Zealand’s Joshua Bai leads the boys’ division at 5-under, while Canada’s Aphrodite Deng and Thailand’s Pimpisa Rubrong top the girls’ leaderboard at 2-under.
Other notable names in the field include defending champions Asterisk Talley and Giovanni Daniele Binaghi, along with rising stars Luke Colton, Miles Russell, and Gianna Clemente.
As the second round approaches, both Woods and Trump will need a miraculous turnaround to salvage their standing. But golf is unpredictable—just like the families they come from.
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based on the date of this printing March 20, 2025 you should be referring to President Trump as President not former; unless this is an old article republished.
WOKE NextGen always says former Pres. Trump and is gleeful over any MAGA slips… no matter how unNewsWorthy…
I know, let’s talk about hag bag Hillary trying to get A1 to control people. I didn’t finish the video cause she makes me sick 🤢 oh I’m sorry (not) she’s your hero. Shows just how dumb u really are