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Tag: Women's golf

  • Kai Trump shoots 13-over 83 in LPGA Tour debut, leaving her last in 108-player field

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    BELLEAIR, Fla. (AP) — Kai Trump shot a 13-over 83 on Thursday in her LPGA Tour debut in The Annika, leaving President Donald Trump’s granddaughter last in the 108-player field.

    In breezy afternoon conditions at Pelican Golf Club, the high school senior bogeyed the first four holes and finished the birdie-less round with nine bogeys and two double bogeys.

    “I was definitely more nervous than I expected, but I thought I hit a lot of great shots out there,” she said. “I hit a lot of good shots just to the wrong spots.”

    The University of Miami recruit is playing on a sponsor exemption.

    “It was pretty cool because I know I hit it far, but kind of playing with the best players in the world and being literally right there or even outdriving on some of the holes, it felt pretty good,” said Trump, the daughter of Donald Trump Jr. “Felt like my game is in a good spot, and especially only being a senior in high school.”

    Haeran Ryu led the tournament at 6-under 64, also playing in the afternoon.

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    AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

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  • President Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump, has brought buzz to an LPGA tournament

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    BELLEAIR, Fla. (AP) — Kai Trump is ready to live out her childhood dream in the spotlight.

    The granddaughter of President Donald Trump will be making her LPGA debut this week in The Annika at Pelican Golf Club.

    The 18-year-old high school senior already sounds like a pro. She handled a 12-minute news conference Tuesday with poise and maturity.

    “I think I’m going to learn a lot no matter what happens,” Kai Trump said. “I’m just going to go out there and have fun and see which way it goes. I’m going to take a lot away from it. Obviously, competing with the best players is going to be cool. To be inside the ropes with them, playing with them, learning what kind of shots they hit, what do they do on the course. So, yeah, just looking forward to it and playing with the best.”

    Trump began playing golf at age 2 and has committed to going to the University of Miami. She received one of the three sponsor exemptions for the tournament that are usually given to players who can help promote women’s golf. Trump has more than 9 million followers on social media. WNBA star Caitlin Clark is also playing in the tournament in the pro-am.

    “So the idea of the exemption, when you go into the history of exemptions, is to bring attention to an event,” said Dan Doyle Jr., owner of Pelican Golf Club. “She’s lovely to speak to and she brought a lot of viewers through Instagram and things like that that normally don’t watch women’s golf was the hopes, and we’re seeing it now on Instagram and social media. So it’s created a buzz on top of the other great players that we have here.”

    Trump played half the course with legendary golfer Annika Sorenstam, the tournament host, on Monday. Sorenstam mentioned how she received a controversial invitation to play on the PGA Tour in 2003 and that turned casual spectators into experts with strong opinions.

    “Kai brings a lot of different people to the sport and we want people to hear about our tournament and be part of it,” Sorenstam said. “The word is spreading and I think that’s a good thing. Keep in mind, The ANNIKA Foundation is a beneficiary here, and we’re all about providing and empowering our women. It really fits in our mission as well. We’re really looking forward to the week.”

    Trump asked Sorenstam for a few tips while they were on the course together.

    “It was amazing,” Trump said. “I asked her a few questions about her swing and what I should maybe do differently. I just asked her questions around the greens, too, because around these greens it’s tough and you can hit different shots into them and what her opinion would be on some of those shots. It was really cool meeting her. She’s a legend, so nice to play nine holes with her.”

    No, Kai’s grandpa isn’t coming to watch her play this weekend.

    “He’s running the world right now, so a little busy,” Trump said. “To me, he’s just a normal grandpa. Always has been.”

    Yes, she’s plays with President Trump but wouldn’t reveal who wins.

    “He’s pretty good. We have some tight matches. Yeah, can’t say much,” she said. “We play a lot. We have a great time out there. We’re always on the same team as well.”

    Grandpa’s advice?

    “Go out there and have fun. Just don’t get nervous,” she said.

    Tiger Woods also gave Trump advice.

    “I mean, he is the best golfer in the entire world. I would say that. And even better person,” she said. “He told me to go out there and have fun and just go with the flow. Whatever happens, happens.”

    Trump’s best finish was runner-up on a Hurricane Junior Tour event. She finished last (by 22 shots) at 52-over par at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley. Currently. Trump is ranked No. 461 by the American Junior Golf Association.

    “I think what I love most about golf is that it’s challenging. You’re never going to be 100% and there is always something to work on,” Trump said. “I think that’s kind of keeps on bringing me back to play golf and practice golf.”

    Kai Trump rose to prominence with her speech during last year’s Republican National Convention where she talked about having a “normal grandpa” who would give her soda and candy when her parents weren’t watching.

    She’s the eldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr.

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    AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson contributed to this report.

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    AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

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  • Corpuz grabs LPGA lead, faces top competition at Pelican

    Corpuz grabs LPGA lead, faces top competition at Pelican

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    BELLEAIR, Fla. — Allisen Corpuz is closing out a solid rookie year on the LPGA Tour, and now the Hawaii native has a chance to make it even better at the Pelican Women’s Championship.

    Corpuz made four birdies in a six-hole stretch in the middle of her second round Saturday and had another 5-under 65, giving her a one-shot lead going into the final round of the penultimate LPGA Tour event of the year.

    Right behind Corpuz is a group of top contenders, making that one-shot lead feel even smaller.

    Maja Stark of Sweden, who starred at Oklahoma State and earned LPGA Tour membership with a co-sanctioned win in Northern Ireland this summer, had eight birdies at Pelican Golf Club — none on the par 5s — for a 63.

    She was one shot behind along with Lexi Thompson (67) and Maria Fassi of Mexico, who followed her career-best 62 with a hard-earned 69 that left the 24-year-old in position to win for the first time and qualify for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.

    Corpuz, twice an All-American while at Southern California and a Curtis Cup player, didn’t make a bogey until her final hole at the par-3 ninth.

    She was at 10-under 130.

    The tournament has been cut short to 54 holes because of heavy rain from Tropical Storm Nicole that washed out the opening round.

    The Pelican Women’s Championship is the final event for the leading 60 players in the CME Race to the Globe to qualify for the final event, which has a $7 million purse with a record $2 million for the winner.

    Fassi is at No. 72 and needs a strong week to advance. She was in a three-way tie for second going into the final round, which would be enough.

    But so many players are in contention.

    Nelly Korda (66) and Carlota Ciganda (68) were two shots out of the lead. Twelve players were separated by four shots going into the final round.

    “I think that I have to play good golf tomorrow to come out at the top. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing in the last group or a few behind,” Fassi said. “I think if you post a good round, that’s all really I can do. I’m just happy that I’m in contention. I’m happy we’re even having this conversation.”

    About the only one missing was Lydia Ko, who played her final 11 holes in even par and had to settle for a 69. That left her seven shots behind — with 26 players ahead of her. Ko could have wrapped up LPGA Player of the Year with a victory.

    Now it starts with Corpuz going for her first win in her rookie season.

    “Just had a good year so far and kind of want to end the season on a good note,” Corpuz said. “Trying to put myself in position for tomorrow, and, yeah really happy that I can be where I am.”

    Korda and Thompson have yet to win on the LPGA Tour this year — for Thompson, the drought goes back three years. Both won on the Saudi-funded Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour this year, Korda in Spain, Thompson in New York.

    A year ago, they were part of a three-way playoff at Pelican that Korda won with a birdie. Now it’s a mix of major champions and rookies and a sprint to the finish.

    “Experience helps, but at the same time, golf is such a crazy game. Anybody can have their days out there and bring their A-game,” Thompson said. “That’s what you never know about it. Every day can be different. There are so many great players out here. You have to play your top-notch game every time you tee it up and you have to make birdies and shoot low, especially if the weather is going to be nice.”

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    AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • Ko returns to country of her birth to win BMW Ladies

    Ko returns to country of her birth to win BMW Ladies

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    WONJU, South Korea — Lydia Ko won her 18th career title in the country of her birth after completing a 7-under 65 final round at the BMW Ladies Championship on Sunday.

    Ko finished the South Korea-based tournament with a 21 under 267, four strokes ahead of Andrea Lee, who had a final round of 3 under 69.

    “This is probably the best I’ve played, the most consistently I’ve played,” Ko said.

    “I played the back nine really well in all four of my rounds, and I think that was the big key for me.”

    Ko slipped to 15 under when she had a bogey at the No. 7 before firing in six birdies to leave the rest of the pack behind.

    “Every time I come back to Korea, even though I play under the New Zealand flag, so many people support me … I think that is such a boost,” Ko said.

    There was a three-way tie for third place with Hye-Jin Choi, Hyo Joo Kim and Lilia Vu all ending up at 16-under 272.

    Atthaya Thitikul, who carded a tournament record 9 under 63 on the first day, ended up fourth following a disappointing round of 2 over 74 on Sunday with five bogeys and only three birdies.

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    More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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