Kai Trump has had left wrist surgery to address an injury she suffered last month at the Golfweek Fall Classic.
"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," Trump shared in a social media post. "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."
In her first collegiate start at the Golfweek Fall Classic last month, playing as an individual, Trump tied for 102nd in the 120-player field. She revealed after the tournament that she re-injured her wrist when a shot
near a cart path struck unexpectedly hard ground beneath the grass.
The left wrist is the same one she had surgery on earlier this year to address damage to the stabilizing tissues of her ECU tendon and fibrocartilage complex.
It didn't prevent her from making another tournament start at the Golfweek Put Me In Coach Invitational, an individual event where Trump finished at 27-over 243, improving her score in every round. Trump carded rounds of 86 and 80 in the first day of competition before closing in 77.
The wrist injury made her question whether she would be able to make the start, but she played. However, now she's on the mend for the foreseeable future. Dr. Michelle Carlson, a hand surgeon in New York, performed Trump's surgery.
"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," Trump continued. "Having the right people by your side makes all the difference, and I couldn’t be more grateful."
The surgery also means Trump won't be able to make her second LPGA start next month at The Annika presented by Gainbridge at The Pelican in Florida. She received a sponsor exemption last year and was a candidate for the final one this year.
Now, Trump's priority is getting healthy to see if she can get back in the lineup before the end of her freshman season.
Cameron Jourdan is an assistant editor of Golfweek, covering college and amateur golf, the PGA Tour and plenty more. Follow Cameron on X/Twitter (@Cam_Jourdan) or Instagram (@GolfweekJourdan).
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Kai Trump undergoes second wrist surgery, eyes return this season
