President Donald Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump, has undergone wrist surgery after suffering an injury during her first collegiate golf tournament, forcing the 19-year-old athlete to put her competitive season on hold.
Kai announced the procedure Wednesday, October 14, sharing a photograph from her hospital bed showing her left wrist in a cast and supported by a sling.
The University of Miami freshman explained that she initially hoped to recover without surgery but ultimately decided to undergo the procedure after consulting her family, coaches and athletic training staff.
“I recently underwent surgery to repair a wrist injury I sustained during my first tournament of the season,” she wrote on Instagram.
“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.”
The injury occurred during the Golfweek Fall Challenge at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club in Pawleys Island, South Carolina.
Kai was attempting a shot near a golf cart path when her club unexpectedly struck concrete concealed beneath the surface.
She previously described the impact as feeling “like a shock on my arm.”
Medical examinations later revealed damage to the cartilage and ligaments in her wrist, although the injury did not involve a complete tear.
Kai reportedly underwent stem cell injections in an effort to avoid surgery and return to competition without an extended absence.
Those efforts ultimately proved insufficient, leading to the operation.
The injury also affected her performance during the tournament, where she finished tied for 102nd place among 120 competitors.
The setback comes at a significant moment in Kai’s athletic career. She recently began her freshman year at the University of Miami after committing to the school’s golf program in August 2024.
Her transition to college had already been emotional. In a previous YouTube video, Kai became tearful while discussing leaving her family and friends in Jupiter, Florida.
Now, just weeks into her college experience, she faces an uncertain recovery period before returning to competitive golf.
Despite the disappointment, Kai expressed optimism about her eventual return.
“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,” she wrote.
She also thanked Dr. Carlson and the medical team at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, along with her teammates, coaches and family, for supporting her throughout the ordeal, per Trending Politics.
Kai did not disclose a specific recovery timeline or indicate when she expects to compete again.
Nevertheless, she made clear that her ambitions remain unchanged.
“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,” she wrote. “I’ll be back before you know it, stronger and more grateful than ever!”
