Kai Trump is putting her University of Miami women's golf season on hold after a second wrist surgery, saying the choice protects her long-term future in the game.
Outkick reported that the 19-year-old freshman and Hurricanes women’s golfer underwent a successful operation at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, then shared a hospital-bed photo on Instagram with her arm in a sling and cast.
She is the granddaughter of President Donald Trump and joined Miami’s women’s golf team this year. The latest procedure follows a left-wrist surgery in January and a fresh injury suffered in September during her first college tournament.
Trump wrote that she had hoped to stay off the operating table. After talks with family, coaches, and the athletic training staff, she said she chose the path that protects what comes next.
"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,"
She did not lay out a full recovery calendar. She made clear the next stretch will look nothing like the season she planned.
Even with the wrist trouble, she stayed in the mix. This past week she played a three-round event in Muncie, Indiana, including one day that demanded two rounds. Photo captions also place her at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, for The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge on November 13 and 14, 2025.
The January operation, by her earlier account, addressed injuries to the stabilizing tissues of her ECU tendon and damage to her triangular fibrocartilage complex. The new surgery again put her under the care of hand and upper extremity specialist Dr. Michelle G. Carlson, whom she thanked.
Mother Vanessa Trump is part of the family circle around her. Trump framed the setback as temporary and pointed straight back to her teammates.
"It’s certainly not how I envisioned the next few months, but sometimes the journey takes an unexpected turn, and I’m choosing to embrace this one with patience, and a whole lot of determination."
She added that recovery will take time and that she is leaning on the people closest to her.
"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. I’ll be back before you know it, stronger and more grateful than ever! Go Canes!"
College golf does not hand out easy breaks. A freshman season can vanish in a hurry when the same joint fails twice and the doctors say stop. Trump’s public message was plain: short-term playing time lost, long-term career defended, and no drama about the trade.
Young athletes get told to push through pain until the bill comes due. She took the harder pause, kept faith with her team, and bet on getting back healthier. That is how you build a career instead of burning one out.
