Her club struck concrete concealed beneath the surface, sending a sensation through her arm that she described as “like a shock on my arm.”
Initial tests indicated that she had not fully torn the affected tissue, but doctors identified a small area of damage involving cartilage and ligaments.
Kai had been receiving stem cell injections in an effort to avoid a lengthy absence from competition before ultimately undergoing surgery.
The injury affected her performance at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. She finished tied for 102nd in the 120-player field.
Gratitude for the people helping her recover
In her Instagram message, Kai emphasized the encouragement she has received throughout the injury and treatment process.
“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 thanked Dr. Carlson and the team at HSS in New York for her care, along with her teammates, coaches, family and others who have supported her.
Her update did not give a specific date for returning to competition. For now, she said, her attention is on healing.
“I can’t wait to be back with my team, doing what I love,” she added. “I’ll be back before you know it, stronger and more grateful than ever!”
An emotional transition into college life
The surgery comes during the opening chapter of Kai’s college experience. President Donald Trump’s granddaughter verbally committed to Miami in August 2024 before arriving on campus this fall.
Alongside her golf updates, she has used YouTube to document the personal side of leaving home in Jupiter, Florida, and beginning life at university.
One video showed her becoming tearful while driving home from the golf course before her departure. She spoke about the difficulty of saying goodbye to friends and family, even as she looked forward to what was ahead.
“It’s just really sad that I have to say goodbye to everyone today,” she said.
The footage also included time with friends before moving to scenes from her first night in her Miami apartment.
Now, after an injury interrupted her first collegiate tournament, Kai’s immediate plans center on rehabilitation and eventually rejoining her team. Her message expressed disappointment about the setback alongside determination to continue playing the sport she loves.
