Kai Trump’s first appearance on the LPGA Tour didn’t go as hoped.
Playing in the Annika Tournament after receiving a sponsor exemption, Donald Trump’s granddaughter struggled to find her footing in what was a difficult debut.
Her preparedness for the stage was questioned after an opening-round 13-over-par 83 left her at the bottom of the leaderboard. But despite that tough start, Kai responded with a second-round 75 that showed improvement and earned support from several LPGA players.
Kai is a +0.5 handicap and has had success as an amateur, but admitted to feeling more nervous than expected during her first Tour appearance.
Kai Trump admits nerves got to her during LPGA debut
The Annika Tournament is known for giving exemptions to up-and-coming talent – Lydia Ko made her debut there back in 2013 at just 15 years old. The event aims to promote younger players, giving them exposure before they try to qualify through Q-school or Monday qualifiers.
Nervous starts are common in sport – even some of golf’s greatest names struggled early on. Rory McIlroy finished near last place in his first event as an amateur at age 16, shooting rounds of 72-75-76-71 at The Open de Madrid Valle Romano.
Worst debuts in golfing history
Poor debuts aren’t uncommon in sport; even legends like Jack Nicklaus and Rory McIlroy had rough starts. Nicklaus missed his first cut as an amateur with scores of 76-68-80–224, while McIlroy finished near last place when he debuted aged just sixteen, scoring rounds of +6 (77), E (71), +4 (75), +1 (72).
The most notable comparison though comes from Justin Thomas. He made his professional debut after graduating high school without any PGA Tour wins under his belt – unlike Tiger Woods who won three titles by then! His scorecard read: DQ/DNS; Missed Cut/T17/Missed Cut/DQ/R16/QF/R32/SF/F – so it was hardly ideal either!
Sergio Garcia- 18-over par in first Open Championship
It’s not uncommon for nerves to get the best of even the top players early in their careers. In 1999, Sergio Garcia shot an 18-over par 89 during his first round at The Open Championship.
The Spanish golfer, just two weeks after claiming the Irish Open title in only his sixth professional appearance, began his Carnoustie debut with a triple bogey and finished Thursday with five doubles on a tough day.
The conditions didn’t help. Garcia struggled throughout as high winds and thick rough exposed every mistake in ball-striking.
Garcia reflected honestly after the round: “Yes, I was suffering,” he told reporters. “I couldn’t do anything, I felt I couldn’t swing the club. Today, everything came out the wrong way.
“I don’t think there is too much I can take from this except possibly patience. The Open is always difficult but this year is too tough.”
Despite that rough round, Garcia’s year included a strong showing as low amateur at The Masters and a near win over Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship.
It serves as a reminder that poor rounds are part of golf – even for those destined to reach the top.
Maurice Flitcroft – 121 in Open Qualifying Debut
Back in 1976, Maurice Flitcroft decided to give golf a shot, posing as a professional in hopes of qualifying for The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
He had no formal experience beyond playing casually on local fields but claimed professional status when asked about his handicap to enter the event at Formby.
He ended up shooting a 121, the worst score ever recorded in Open Qualifying history. This earned him the title “the world’s worst golfer,” and he was banned for life by the R&A.
But that didn’t stop him from trying again. Flitcroft used disguises and fake names to enter future qualifying events. He managed to play once more before being caught after nine holes.
“I was looking to find fame and fortune, but only achieved one of the two,” he once said.
Charlie Kunkle- Posts 95 during 1956 Masters debut
Kunkle was a self-taught amateur golfer who managed to qualify for the 1956 Masters, marking his spot in golf history.
A World War II veteran and former Duke basketball captain, he also happened to be friends with Arnold Palmer. Kunkle holds the record for the highest single-round score ever recorded at the Masters.
His score of 95 came as part of a 52-over-par weekend. While Billy Casper shot a higher round of 106 at age 73, it wasn’t officially recorded, so Kunkle’s record still stands in the books.
It’s likely any future players who surpass this mark won’t have it go down officially either. Nick Dunlap came close with a round of 90 in 2025 but didn’t quite break it.
Despite that, just making it to Augusta was a huge accomplishment for Kunkle. “The record, that’s not important to me,” he told the Pittsburgh Press-Gazette in 2005. “I earned my way there. You don’t get there by knowing the right people. I was proud to have played in The Masters.” Kunkle passed away in 2013, but his story remains a unique chapter in Masters history.
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