Caitlin Clark’s influence continues to ripple far beyond the basketball court, and one of the more unexpected places it has surfaced is in the sporting journey of Kai Trump. The teenage golfer, and granddaughter of former U.S. president Donald Trump, recently shared how meeting the Indiana Fever star left a lasting impression, one strong enough to inspire her own approach to sports, competition, and visibility for women athletes.
Their paths crossed at the Annika Pro-Am, a high-profile event that blended elite golf with celebrity appearances. While the tournament featured stars like Nelly Korda, Trump admitted that meeting Caitlin Clark stood out as one of the defining moments of her year.
Kai Trump on Caitlin Clark’s impact on women’s sports
Reflecting on her 2025 highlights in a video posted to her YouTube channel, Kai Trump spoke candidly about how much Clark impressed her, not just as an athlete, but as a figure driving progress in women’s sports.
“It was really, really fun. I had a great time,” Trump said. “It was really cool also meeting Caitlin Clark. She’s been doing amazing things for women’s sports. And at the end of the day, that’s also what I’m trying to grow as women’s sports while doing my social media stuff, but also playing golf. And she’s doing a great job at it.”
Clark’s arrival in the WNBA has coincided with unprecedented attention, ticket sales, and media coverage for the league, and Trump made it clear she sees parallels between Clark’s rise and her own ambitions in golf. Though golf is her primary focus, Trump revealed she also has a deep love for basketball, something she showcased during the Pro-Am.
“So, there’s a basketball hoop on the first day of the pro-am,” she recalled. “I was so nervous. I didn’t want to go first… She whiffs it and then I go, I just make it swoosh right in. And I don’t think you would realize like I used to play basketball. Like, I love basketball. I’m pretty good.”
Preparing for the LPGA spotlight with elite guidance
As Trump looks ahead to carving out a place on the professional golf circuit, her focus has shifted fully toward development and consistency. That preparation recently included a memorable session with Rory McIlroy, one of the most accomplished players of his generation.
Following her LPGA Tour debut, Trump joined McIlroy on the driving range for a practice session that she later described as the perfect way to start the year. Sharing a photo from the moment on social media, she wrote, “the best way to start the year.”
It wasn’t their first interaction either. Earlier in 2025, Trump posted a clip titled, “Rory McIlroy SHOCKED at my golf skills,” recalling a round they played together at the Genesis Open. Each experience has added confidence as she prepares for the next chapter of her career.
Inspired by Clark’s trailblazing presence in basketball and guided by golf’s elite, Kai Trump appears intent on blending performance with purpose. If her reflections are any indication, Caitlin Clark’s influence has helped shape not just admiration but a mindset, one rooted in elevating women’s sports, no matter the arena.
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