Kai Trump’s promising start as a collegiate golfer has been interrupted after she underwent surgery to repair a wrist injury suffered during her first tournament for the University of Miami.
The 19-year-old previously explained in a candid YouTube vlog that she hurt her wrist while competing in the Golfweek Fall Challenge, her first event representing Miami.
She said the injury happened early in the tournament when she attempted to hit a shot close to a pathway and struck concrete hidden beneath the ground. The impact, she recalled, sent what felt like “a shock” through her arm.
On Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump’s granddaughter shared an image on Instagram showing her recovering in a hospital bed, with her left wrist secured in a large cast and sling.
“I recently underwent surgery to repair a wrist injury I sustained during my first tournament of the season,” she wrote in the caption.
“While I had hoped to avoid surgery, after talks with my family, coaches, and athletic training staff I know I made the best decision for my long-term health and my future in the game I love. It’s certainly not how I envisioned the next few months, but sometimes the journey takes an unexpected turn, and I’m choosing to embrace this one with patience, and a whole lot of determination.”
Kai Trump has undergone surgery after suffering a wrist injury during her first college golf tournament
The Miami freshman was hurt during her first event for the University of Miami
“Recovery will take time, but I’m incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by amazing people who continue to lift me up, encourage me, and remind me that every challenge is an opportunity to grow. Having the right people by your side makes all the difference, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
“A special thank you to Dr. Carlson and the incredible team at HSS in New York for taking such great care of me, and to my teammates, coaches, family, and everyone who has supported me along the way.”
“For now, it’s all about healing, and trusting the process. I can’t wait to be back with my team, doing what I love. I’ll be back before you know it, stronger and more grateful than ever!”
Early examinations showed that she had not suffered a complete tear, but doctors identified a small area of damage affecting the cartilage and ligaments in her wrist.
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Hoping to avoid a lengthy absence, Kai had tried stem cell injections as part of her treatment. The procedure ultimately became necessary after those efforts did not resolve the problem.
Her injury also affected her performance at the Caledonia Golf & Fish Club in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. She finished tied for 102nd in a field of 120 golfers.
The setback arrived during an already emotional first month of college for the freshman, who committed verbally to Miami in August 2024 before beginning life on campus this fall.
Kai started her freshman year at the Florida university in late September and recently documented the transition in a YouTube video, sharing both her final days at home and her first experiences as a college student.
The injury came during an emotional first month for the University of Miami freshman
The wrist problem affected her performance in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, where she tied for 102nd among 120 players
She had found it difficult to leave her family and friends in Jupiter, Florida, and became tearful while preparing to move away for school.
In the vlog posted at the beginning of September, Kai filmed herself crying as she drove home from the golf course the day before departing for college.
‘It’s just really sad that I have to say goodbye to everyone today,’ Kai said, her eyes filled with tears.
‘I’m not a very emotional person at all, so this is like really weird for me to cry, I’ve only cried a few times. I think knowing that I have to say goodbye to everyone tonight really, really sucks,’ she admitted.
‘I don’t have to say goodbye to my mom tomorrow, but [saying goodbye to] everybody else [tonight] is sad. I’m struggling right now, just thinking about it,’ she said, adding that she was ‘excited’ for her next chapter but ’emotional’ about it all.
She also included footage of herself hanging out with her friends for the final time, before it cut to the first night in her new Miami apartment.
