Donald Trump's influencer granddaughter Kai reveals golfer dream ahead of Ryder Cup

Donald Trump's influencer granddaughter Kai has revealed her goal to become a professional golfer as she joins her grandfather at the Ryder Cup today - with the teenager having already scooped deals worth more than $1 million.

She was earlier pictured leaving the White House with Trump in his Marine One chopper to head to New York's Bethpage Black Course, where the event is being held. The 18-year-old, the eldest of Trump's grandchildren, is already making waves off the course with deals worth over $1 million. Before starting at the University of Miami this autumn to join the school's golf team, Kai partnered with brands including Accelerator Active Energy, Leaf Trading Cards, and TaylorMade Golf.

Her more than six million social media followers - 1.8 million on Instagram, 3.2 million on TikTok, and 1.7 million on YouTube - means her NIL (name, image, and likeness) valuation sits at around $1.2million (£895,000), putting her among the top female student-athlete earners, alongside LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne and basketball player Flaujae Johnson.

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Kai’s public profile rose further after she delivered a speech at last year's Republican National Convention.

In a Fox News interview in July, the teenager spoke of her dreams to become a professional golfer. She said: "If I have two hours, I'm not going to, you know, hit a few balls, go on my phone, and scroll. Like, no, I'm going to take full advantage of my time I have on the course.

"So I think that's going to really get me to the next level. As well as a lot of just training in the gym, getting stronger, and just playing more rounds. The more golf I play, the better I'll do. Miami gave me a great opportunity, so I'm very looking forward to that. And I think that's also going to help me prepare to go pro."