Tiger Woods' son Charlie and President Trump's granddaughter Kai face fierce competition at the prestigious Junior Invitational at Sage Valley tournament in South Carolina.
According to Golfweek, both Benjamin School golfers encountered significant challenges in Wednesday's first round, with Woods shooting 78 and Trump finishing with 89, placing them near the bottom of their respective leaderboards.
The tournament, widely regarded as junior golf's most prestigious event, has drawn top young talent from around the world, including current leaders Joshua Bai from New Zealand in the boys' division and a tie between Thailand's Pimpisa Rubrong and Canada's Aphrodite Deng in the girls' competition.
Notable performances and tournament standings
Woods, competing in a field of 36 boys, currently sits in 32nd place after carding a 6-over-par 78. His round included two birdies but was marred by six bogeys and a crucial double bogey on the par-5 eighth hole, which shifted his score from 1-under to 1-over.
Trump's debut proved more challenging as she finished the day in last place among 24 girls competitors. Her round of 89 included multiple significant setbacks, with a single birdie offset by seven bogeys, two double bogeys, a triple bogey, and a quadruple bogey.
The tournament's leaderboard showcases international talent, with Joshua Bai establishing an early advantage at 5-under par in the boys' division. In the girls' competition, Pimpisa Rubrong and Aphrodite Deng share the lead at 2-under, while defending champion Asterisk Talley finds herself in 15th place after shooting 77.
Legacy and tournament significance
The Junior Invitational at Sage Valley has rapidly evolved into a premier showcase for emerging golf talent since its establishment in 2011. The tournament's prestige is evidenced by its impressive alumni roster.
Several former champions have achieved notable success in professional golf, including current stars Scottie Scheffler, Akshay Bhatia, and Joaquín Niemann. Austin Eckroat, another tournament alumnus, recently claimed victory at the 2024 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches.
The event continues to attract elite junior golfers from across the globe, maintaining its reputation as a crucial stepping stone toward professional success in the sport.
Local talents and their achievements
Both Woods and Trump have demonstrated considerable skill at the high school level, representing Benjamin School with distinction. Woods, currently a sophomore, holds the ranking of No. 11 among Florida's boys golfers.
His achievements include contributing to Benjamin's state championship victory in 2023, where he consistently performed as the team's No. 2 player. Trump, now in her junior year, earned All-County recognition and ranks as the No. 151 girls golfer in Florida.
The tournament's second round begins Thursday morning, offering both players an opportunity to improve their positions on the leaderboard. However, specific tee times and pairings remained undisclosed following Wednesday's play.
Young talents navigate challenging competition
Charlie Woods and Kai Trump's participation in the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley represents a significant milestone in their developing golf careers. Despite their challenging first-round performances, both competitors continue to follow in their famous family members' footsteps at one of junior golf's most prestigious events. The tournament continues through the weekend, providing these young athletes additional opportunities to showcase their skills against some of the world's most talented junior golfers. Their presence at this elite event underscores the tournament's significance in developing future professional golf talent.
