Who ranks higher in junior golf: Kai Trump or Charlie Woods? Here's what we know

USA Today

01-04-2025

Who ranks higher in junior golf: Kai Trump or Charlie Woods? Here's what we know
President Trump's eldest granddaughter and Donald Trump Jr.'s eldest daughter, Kai Trump, is a Florida high school golfer. And she shares the golf course with another young Florida golfer, whose dad is a legend in the sport.
Kai Trump and Tiger Woods' son, Charlie Woods, have held the attention of golf and pop culture enthusiasts for a couple of weeks now. They both attend the same elite Palm Beach County School, frequently play in the same tournaments and now, their parents are publicly dating.
If you didn't know, Vanessa Trump, Kai's mom and Donald Trump Jr.'s ex-wife, and Tiger Woods confirmed dating rumors and made their relationship 'Instagram official' this March.
Both Kai and Charlie recently rose in junior golf rankings, after playing in one of the most prestigious events in junior golf last week.
Here's where they rank and what we know about their budding golf careers.
Where does Charlie Woods rank in junior golf?
Charlie Woods and Kai Trump are both reaping the benefits of competing in one of the most prestigious events in junior golf. Their latest rankings in the American Junior Golf Association:
Woods and Trump each jumped up more than 200 places in AJGA rankings after competing at the Sage Valley Junior Invitational in South Carolina last week.
On the week of March 25, Woods was ranked No. 603 in the AJGA boys rankings, 235 places higher than he was before Sage Valley. He finished the event at Sage Valley tied for 25th in a field of 36 golfers.
Where does Kai Trump rank?
Their rankings jumped up so high after just one event due to how the event is weighted by the AJGA. The Sage Valley Junior Invitational isn't an AJGA event, but it is a maximum point value tournament in the AJGA rankings formula, due to the strength and breadth of the field. This year's Junior Invitational at Sage Valley included competition from players from at least 19 countries.
Trump rose to No. 530 in the AJGA girls rankings for the week of March 25, 285 places higher than she was before Sage Valley. She finished last in a field of 24 golfers at Sage Valley.
Trump was an All-County selection for Benjamin last fall and finished her junior campaign as the No. 151 ranked girls golfer in Florida, according to iWanamaker.
Woods played on Benjamin's No. 2 line last fall and finished his sophomore varsity campaign as the No. 11 boys golfer in Florida, according to iWanamaker, an online event management system that includes player rosters, live scoring, and rankings for high school golf.
Sage Valley Junior Invitational: Charlie Woods, Kai Trump make huge jump in golf rankings
Where do Charlie Woods, Kai Trump go to school?
Kai Trump, Charlie Woods and his sister Sam Alexis Woods, all play sports and attend school at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens. Charlie Woods even helped The Benjamin School Buccaneers varsity golf team win a state title when he was a freshman.
In news interviews, Sam Woods has mentioned avoiding a professional career in golf because as a child, the tournaments meant long absences away from her father. Her choice of sport has been soccer and she plays on The Benjamin School's girls' soccer team.
The Benjamin School's elementary and middle school campus is in North Palm Beach on Ellison Wilson Road, appropriately located near Golfview Road and wedged between two golf courses.
The Benjamin School's high school campus, where Kai, Sam and Charlie attend school, is in Palm Beach Gardens, on Grandiflora Road, not far from Abacoa Golf Club.
According to the school's website, one year of tuition for ninth through 12th grade was $37,200 for the 2024-25 school year.
Famous golfers, other than Tiger Woods, have also sent their children to The Benjamin School, including Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman.
Where is Kai Trump going to college?
Kai Trump took to Instagram on Sunday, August 18, 2024, to announce her commitment to the University of Miami's women's golf team.
'I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Miami,' Kai wrote in the caption.
'I would like to thank my mom, Vanessa, and my dad, Don, for always supporting me through my journey. I would also like to thank my great team for getting me to this point.'
She went on to thank her grandfather, President Donald Trump, as well.
'I would like to thank my grandpa for giving me access to great courses and tremendous support… I am super excited to be a cane and represent the University of Miami. Gooo Canes!'
NIL deals: Do Kai Trump and Charlie Woods have NIL deals for golf? Here's what that means
Has Charlie Woods ever hit a hole-in-one?
Yes! In December 2024, a then-15-year-old Charlie Woods hit a hole-in-one at the PNC Championship, and his father was there to see it. Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods sometimes play golf tournaments together.
Does Kai Trump have an NIL deal?
In February, Kai announced her first lucrative endorsement deal with big-name golf equipment company TaylorMade. On3, a website that rates high school and college athletes, values her name, image and likeness (NIL) at more than $1 million after her TaylorMade deal.
The exact terms of Kai's deal with TaylorMade were not disclosed, but there is some information about her name, image and likeness valuation. She also has another NIL endorsement, in addition to the February golf equipment deal that propelled her valuation to more than $1 million.
Kai Trump has an estimated NIL valuation of around $1.2 million, according to USA TODAY and the site On3 Sports. The site also reports she signed her first NIL deal with Leaf Trading Cards in January. A pack of Leaf Trading Cards retails for $199.99, On3 reported. Each pack contains one random autograph card.
Her valuation after the TaylorMade deal makes her the No. 1 highest-valued player in girls' high school golf.
When it comes to her valuation among women in college athletics (Kai is still only 17 years old and per USGA and Florida high school rules competes as a girls' golfer), she ranks in the top five NIL money-makers. She's outranked in NIL valuation by only three women, all college athletes: LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, LSU basketball player Flau'Jae Johnson and UConn basketball player Paige Bueckers.
Does Charlie Woods have an NIL deal?
As of Monday, March 31, 2025, Charlie Woods has no confirmed name, image and likeness deal, but he is eligible, a state champion and his dad, Tiger Woods, is golf royalty, Charlie Woods is likely to have plenty of chances for NIL deals. Whether or not he takes a deal, though, is the question.
Last June, The Palm Beach Post spoke with The Benjamin School boys' golf team coach Toby Harbeck.
'The four-time state champion golf coach went as far as to say that he would be 'shocked' and 'surprised' if the Woods signed any deal that came their way,' The Post reported.
'Obviously, someone's going to go in on Charlie, but I doubt they'll accept it,' Harbeck told The Post in June. 'I know them too well.'
Can high schoolers make NIL money?
Some high schoolers, like Kai Trump and Charlie Woods, are eligible for NIL deals, but not in every state.
It's up to each state to decide whether or not high schoolers can profit from their NIL before college. Florida is a pioneer in NIL deals for high schoolers. It was the first state to approve NIL deals for high school athletes.