MIAMI, FLORIDA: Kai Trump is undergoing stem cell treatment after reinjuring her wrist during her college golf debut for the University of Miami.
The 19-year-old granddaughter of President Donald Trump suffered the setback at South Carolina’s Golfweek Fall Challenge, raising concerns that she might need another surgery.
Kai injured her wrist after striking the ground near a cart path at Caledonia Golf and Fish Club. Recalling the incident, she said, “Let’s just say there must have been some cart path underneath that ground because it was very hard.”
She continued playing, but the pain intensified when she used her driver on the 10th hole.
“Then on the tenth hole, I hit my driver, and I felt like I tore it again,” she said. The injury was concerning because Kai had undergone wrist surgery earlier this year.
The procedure addressed damage to her triangular fibrocartilage complex and the stabilizing tissues surrounding the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon.
After the tournament, testing showed that Kai had not completely torn the repaired area. She described the damage as a “little sliver” involving cartilage and ligaments inside her wrist.
The findings meant she could avoid another operation. Instead, Kai received stem cell injections from pain management specialist Dr Jeffrey Weigers.
Her video identified the treatment as Dezawa MuseCells.
Despite the pain, Kai completed all three rounds of the tournament, finishing tied for 102nd among 120 competitors.
The setback comes as she adjusts to collegiate golf after committing to the University of Miami in 2024. Coach Janice Olivencia previously praised Kai, saying she would bring energy and excitement to the team.
Kai, the eldest child of Donald Trump Jr and Vanessa Trump, built her reputation as a junior golfer before joining Miami.
She won club championships at Trump International Palm Beach and made her LPGA Tour debut last November, becoming the youngest player in that tournament’s field.
She also drew national attention after speaking about her grandfather at the 2024 Republican National Convention. Starting college has brought personal changes, too. Kai previously spoke about leaving her home in Jupiter, Florida, and saying goodbye to family and friends.
“I’m not a very emotional person at all, so this is like really weird for me to cry,” she said. Kai’s recovery could give her time to return during Miami’s fall season.
The Hurricanes are scheduled to compete at the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational, beginning October 16 in North Carolina.
Where things stand now
She will need to monitor how her wrist responds to treatment and whether she can swing without renewed pain before returning to competition.
